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Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored a penalty with the last kick of the game to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle in Andoni Iraola’s first match in charge of the Reds.
Iraola is the figurehead of a new era for Liverpool after Arne Slot’s close-season sacking and Mohamed Salah’s departure to Trabzonspor.
Liverpool’s first steps into the future were uncomfortable, with Newcastle exposing the defensive flaws that proved fatal for Slot last season, Super Sports report.
Anthony Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the first half before Cody Gakpo equalised soon after the interval.
Joe Willock’s first Premier League goal since 2024 restored Newcastle’s advantage, but Szoboszlai held his nerve to net with a stoppage-time penalty after Lewis Hall fouled Victor Munoz.
Read More: Brentford thrash Tottenham 3-0 on opening day of Premier League
For the first time since 2016, Liverpool kicked off a campaign without Egypt forward Mohamed Salah as their talisman, while Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson have also departed for Real Madrid and Tottenham, respectively.
Iraola earned plaudits for leading Bournemouth to European qualification last season with his astute tactics and high-energy style of play.
Tasked with rebuilding a Liverpool squad that finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League last season, he faces a tough task to catch champions Arsenal on the evidence of a timid performance that barely deserved the point they escaped with at St James’ Park.
Debutant defender Jeremy Jacquet was erratic alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, while 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha was unable to fill the void left by Salah, who scored his first goals for Trabzonspor while his old club were spluttering.
Fans of both clubs were united for an emotional pre-match tribute to former Newcastle manager and Liverpool striker Kevin Keegan, who died recently aged 75.
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