Szoboszlai's 99th-Minute Penalty Rescues Liverpool in Season Opener at Newcastle
Dominik Szoboszlai kept his cool from the penalty spot in the 99th minute to rescue a 2-2 draw for Liverpool at Newcastle United on the opening Sunday of the 2026-27 Premier League season. Twice Liverpool trailed. Twice they hauled themselves level. The last of those equalisers came deep in stoppage time, a spot-kick slammed home when the points looked gone. Liverpool FC
Newcastle struck first through Anthony Elanga, who finished a counter-attack to put the home side in front. Liverpool responded through Cody Gakpo, only for Joe Willock to restore Newcastle's lead after a run by Yoane Wissa carved the visitors open. Liverpool FC
The thread connecting both Newcastle goals was the same: Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch lost possession in the build-up to each. BBC Sport It is a detail that lands with particular weight given what has been happening — or rather, what has not been happening — in Liverpool's midfield. The club have not had an out-and-out defensive midfielder, the kind known as a "number six" — a player whose primary job is to protect the defence and break up opposition attacks — since Fabinho departed in 2023. BBC Sport
Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola, who took the job in the off-season, said he was pleased with how his side persevered to salvage a point. His preferred system uses a two-man midfield pivot with Florian Wirtz operating as a number 10 — an attacking playmaker positioned just behind the striker. BBC Sport Liverpool FC The shape is designed for control and creativity, but at St James' Park it left gaps Newcastle exploited with pace on the break.
What gives this story an edge beyond one afternoon's result is the transfer picture. Liverpool have no plans to sign a new midfielder this window, despite the departure of Curtis Jones and the defensive frailty on display at Newcastle. The Liverpool Offside Not everyone at the club agrees that is the right call. Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, now a pundit, said the team need to sign a defensive midfielder before the window closes. Sky Sports
For a general audience: a number six sits at the base of midfield, screening the back four and receiving the ball from the centre-backs to start attacks. Without one, the midfield can be bypassed on the counter — exactly how Newcastle scored on Sunday.
Whether Liverpool's stance changes in the final days of the window is a question Iraola will face every week until it shuts. For now, Szoboszlai's late penalty papers over a crack that showed twice in ninety minutes. A point earned, but a problem laid bare.
