Liverpool came dangerously close to leaving St James’ Park empty-handed after a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The Reds had to fight until the final seconds to rescue a point, with Dominik Szoboszlai converting a penalty in the 90+9th minute.
Anthony Elanga gave Newcastle an early lead in the fifth minute before Cody Gakpo restored parity in the 55th minute. Joe Willock then put Newcastle ahead again just two minutes later.
Liverpool eventually found a way back into the contest, but the result exposed several weaknesses that head coach Andoni Iraola will need to address quickly. At the same time, the impact of Liverpool’s substitutes offered a positive sign, particularly during the frantic closing stages.
Liverpool’s Defence Still Looks Unconvincing
The defensive performance was one of the biggest concerns for Liverpool throughout the match. Newcastle repeatedly found spaces, especially when Liverpool struggled to maintain their shape.
Alisson was partly at fault for Elanga’s opener after his positioning left him vulnerable. The Brazilian goalkeeper improved afterward and produced an important save to deny William Osula. However, he could do little to prevent Willock from putting Newcastle back in front.
Jeremie Frimpong also endured a difficult evening. He struggled to contain Harvey Barnes and offered limited attacking influence when Liverpool attempted to build pressure from the flank.
Jeremy Jacquet showed encouraging qualities when distributing the ball from the back. His composure in possession was useful, although he nearly lost control under pressure from Osula.
Virgil van Dijk won several physical battles, as expected from the experienced centre-back. However, his overall display lacked the dominance Liverpool needed during Newcastle’s strongest spells.
Milos Kerkez faced similar problems against Elanga’s pace. His inability to keep up with the Newcastle winger created further problems, while he also failed to provide Alexander Isak with a quality delivery during one promising opportunity.
Key defensive concerns included:
- Poor positioning during Newcastle’s opening goal
- Difficulty defending against pace on the flanks
- Gaps appearing between defensive and midfield lines
- Inconsistent pressure when Newcastle attacked quickly
Liverpool Struggle to Control the Midfield
The problems were not limited to the defence. Liverpool also struggled to control the middle of the pitch, allowing Newcastle to launch repeated attacks.
Ryan Gravenberch looked aggressive when carrying the ball during the first half. His willingness to move forward helped Liverpool progress through midfield, but an inaccurate pass also contributed to Newcastle finding space for another attack.
His influence gradually declined as the match progressed.
Szoboszlai ultimately became Liverpool’s late hero by scoring from the penalty spot. However, his overall performance was below expectations. Newcastle repeatedly exploited the space behind him when he pushed forward alongside Gravenberch.
Florian Wirtz was one of Liverpool’s most active players before halftime. He nearly scored with an effort that was brilliantly stopped by Lukas Hornicek. Yet his influence dropped significantly after the interval.
Alexis Mac Allister came on for Wirtz but struggled to make the same impact. Lewis Koumas, meanwhile, provided more encouraging energy during the closing stages.
Gakpo Provides the Spark Liverpool Needed
Cody Gakpo was arguably Liverpool’s most effective attacking player, particularly after halftime.
The forward consistently looked for space around Newcastle’s defensive line. His persistence eventually paid off when he produced a low effort from outside the box to bring Liverpool level at 1-1.
Gakpo’s ability to create danger from different positions gave Liverpool a much-needed attacking outlet.
Alexander Isak, on the other hand, experienced a frustrating evening. The Swedish striker faced intense pressure from the St James’ Park crowd and struggled to become consistently involved in Liverpool’s attacking moves.
He also failed to make the most of Liverpool’s best opportunity involving him.
Rio Ngumoha offered limited threat from the right before being substituted. His replacement, Víctor Munoz, immediately brought a different level of energy.
Munoz Changes the Game Late On
Víctor Munoz emerged as one of Liverpool’s biggest positives from the match.
The substitute provided pace, direct running and aggression at a time when Liverpool desperately needed fresh ideas. His willingness to attack Newcastle’s defensive line helped change the momentum during the final stages.
Munoz was also directly involved in the sequence that eventually produced Liverpool’s late penalty. His penetration into the Newcastle box created the situation that gave Liverpool a final opportunity to avoid defeat.
That contribution could have major implications for the next match.
If Liverpool are looking for greater attacking intensity from the opening whistle, Munoz has certainly made a strong case for more minutes.
The substitutes demonstrated that Liverpool still possess valuable attacking resources beyond their starting XI.
Szoboszlai Rescues Liverpool at the Death
With Liverpool heading toward defeat, Szoboszlai stepped up from the penalty spot in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
The Hungarian midfielder calmly converted the opportunity and secured a 2-2 draw for Liverpool.
Although his overall display was disappointing, the late penalty could prove valuable in terms of confidence and momentum. A defeat at St James’ Park would have created even more pressure around Liverpool’s early-season performances.
Instead, they return home with a point and plenty of lessons to consider.
Iraola Faces a Major Tactical Challenge
The draw against Newcastle highlighted both Liverpool’s weaknesses and their potential.
The Reds showed character by recovering twice from behind, but they also allowed Newcastle too much control for long periods. Defensive positioning, midfield protection and attacking consistency all require attention.
At the same time, players such as Gakpo and Munoz demonstrated that Liverpool can still produce decisive moments when the pressure is highest.
For Iraola, the next challenge is finding the right balance between his preferred tactical approach and the individual qualities within the squad.
Liverpool avoided defeat at St James’ Park, but the performance served as a warning. If the Reds want to compete at the highest level this season, the issues exposed against Newcastle cannot remain unresolved for long.
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