Szoboszlai Penalty Steals Liverpool a Draw at Newcastle in Chaotic St James' Park Opener
Dominik Szoboszlai converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn Liverpool a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, after the home side had twice led in a match neither new head coach will forget in a hurry.
The Premier League fixture, played at St James' Park on 23 August 2026, was Newcastle's first home game of the 2026/27 season — Matchweek 2 on the calendar — and it carried the weight of a summer that reshaped both clubs almost beyond recognition (Premier League).
Anthony Elanga needed just five minutes to open the scoring. Ryan Gravenberch surrendered possession on the edge of his own box, William Osula collected the loose ball and fed Elanga, who finished past Alisson. Milos Kerkez, Liverpool's left-back, spent much of the afternoon trying to contain the Swede and never quite managed it (The Guardian).
Joe Willock looked to have won it for Newcastle with a goal that made it 2-1, only for Szoboszlai's late penalty — awarded in stoppage time — to drag Liverpool level (The Guardian).
The match was Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle's first at home since succeeding Eddie Howe three weeks earlier. Jaissle, a 38-year-old German who previously managed Saudi club Al-Ahli, took charge of a squad stripped of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães. Into the gaps stepped the new arrivals: Amar Dedic made his debut at right-back after a £30m move from Benfica, while 18-year-old Sean Steur — recently signed from Ajax — started in holding midfield alongside Lewis Miley. Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman formed the central defensive pairing (The Guardian).
On the other touchline, Andoni Iraola was taking charge of his first Premier League match as Liverpool's head coach. His back four featured Virgil van Dijk alongside Jérémy Jacquet in the centre, with Alisson behind them. Florian Wirtz, the German playmaker, pulled strings in the middle of the pitch (The Guardian).
This was also the first meeting between the clubs since Alexander Isak moved from Newcastle to Liverpool for a record £125m fee. The Swedish striker had forced the transfer through a one-man strike, a saga that left bruised feelings on Tyneside. That backdrop gave the afternoon an edge that went well beyond the football.
Before kick-off, both sets of fans paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, who died the previous month. Keegan had managed Newcastle and played for Liverpool, and his memory belongs to both. A banner in the Gallowgate End — the stand that runs behind one goal — carried a Keegan quotation, and the stadium observed its moment with feeling (The Guardian).
Newcastle's official channels confirmed the new season was underway and honoured the man both clubs call their own (Newcastle United X).
What makes this match stand out is how much was new and yet how quickly the old St James' Park drama took over. Two head coaches in the dugout for the first time, a teenage midfielder from Ajax thrown straight in, a £125m striker lining up for the opposition — and still the story was a goal in the fifth minute and a penalty in stoppage time. Some things at this ground never change.
