Liverpool’s 2026/27 Premier League season nearly began in disaster. On Sunday, August 23, at a roaring St James’ Park, the Reds needed a stoppage-time penalty just to avoid a defeat that would have sent shockwaves through Anfield before a ball had even been kicked in anger for matchweek two.
The final score read Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool, but that scoreline barely captures the drama of Andoni Iraola’s competitive debut as Liverpool head coach.
A Nightmare Start on Tyneside
It took Newcastle just five minutes to punish Liverpool’s shaky opening. Anthony Elanga finished off a slick move started by William Osula, and St James’ Park erupted. The early goal set the tone for a first half in which Newcastle, under new boss Matthias Jaissle, looked sharper, hungrier, and far more organized than a Liverpool side still adjusting to Iraola’s demanding high-press philosophy.
Liverpool had gone into the match without their talisman Mohamed Salah for the first time in nearly a decade, and the gap showed. The Reds looked disjointed in transition, and Newcastle’s front line kept finding pockets of space in behind a defense that had lost Ibrahima Konate over the summer.
Gakpo Levels, Then Chaos Erupts
Liverpool clawed their way back into the contest just after the hour mark. Cody Gakpo curled a brilliant strike into the far corner from outside the box, assisted by Ryan Gravenberch, and for a moment it looked like the visitors had found their footing.
That moment lasted less than 90 seconds. Newcastle substitute Joe Willock, on the pitch for barely a minute, restored the home side’s lead almost immediately, sending St James’ Park into pandemonium and Liverpool right back to square one.
The Late, Late Escape
For long stretches after that, Newcastle looked destined to hand Iraola a losing start to his Liverpool reign. The Magpies defended resolutely, and the Anfield outfit’s frustration grew as chance after chance went begging.
Then, deep into the ninth minute of stoppage time, salvation arrived. Substitute Victor Munoz burst into the box and was hauled down by Lewis Hall, and referee pointed straight to the spot. Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up under the weight of a jeering crowd and buried the penalty with ice-cold composure, sparking wild celebrations among the traveling Liverpool supporters.
It was, fittingly, a script almost identical to last season’s meeting between these two clubs, when Rio Ngumoha snatched a last-gasp winner in the 100th minute. This time it was a draw rather than three points, but the relief inside the Liverpool camp was unmistakable.
What This Means Going Forward
A draw at a difficult away venue is far from a disaster on paper, but the performance will worry Liverpool fans. Iraola himself has admitted his players can currently sustain his intense system for only around 30 minutes at a time, and Sunday’s collapse after the equalizer supports that concern.
With Alexander Isak, back at his old stomping ground for the first time since his controversial move, still finding full match sharpness, and a squad still bedding in new arrivals, Liverpool will need rapid improvement. Their first home game of the new era, against Nottingham Forest, now carries far more significance than anyone expected before kickoff.
For now, Liverpool survived. The Premier League title race, though, is already looking unforgiving.
