Dominik Szoboszlai Takes Liverpool's Penalty Amidst Isak's Hostility

Dominik Szoboszlai, not Alexander Isak, took Liverpool’s high-pressure penalty at St James’ Park – and Andoni Iraola insists that was always part of the plan, not a reaction to the noise swirling around his £125million striker.

Isak’s first return to Newcastle since his British-record move to Anfield was always going to be raw. Once the darling of the Gallowgate, the Sweden international walked away under a cloud, refusing to train or play as he pushed through his summer switch. The anger has not faded.

Every touch drew jeers. Every run was booed. Yet deep into stoppage time, it looked as if the script was about to turn on its head.

Liverpool, trailing and searching for a way out in their Premier League opener, saw Victor Munoz tumbled by Lewis Hall in the box. The referee pointed to the spot. With Mohamed Salah gone, the stadium paused. Who takes it now?

Cameras locked onto Isak, standing over the ball, the hostility around him crackling. This was the moment the villain could silence an entire end.

Then Szoboszlai stepped forward.

The Hungary international grabbed the responsibility, placed the ball, and thumped his penalty into the roof of the net. No doubt, no hesitation. Newcastle’s lead was gone. Liverpool had their point.

After the game, Iraola dismissed any notion of a snub for Isak and instead highlighted the wealth of options he has from 12 yards.

“I think we have not only Dom and Alexander – we have more very good specialists,” the Liverpool boss said. “Alexis also was on the pitch and he's a very good penalty-taker, Cody – we have a lot.

“But I think Dom showed the level. It's an almost impossible penalty to stop. I was happy obviously because at the end we recovered one point.”

The equaliser capped a chaotic finale, though Iraola felt Liverpool should have been given an earlier spot-kick for another challenge on Munoz.

“I also think there is a clearer penalty before the Victor one to Victor again,” he said. “But I think the referee whistles just before, so they cannot give it to you, but I think it was even more clear than the second one.

“I'm happy also for Victor because he has created problems to his opposition and I think these players from the bench that can alter games are going to be important for us.”

If Szoboszlai left with the decisive moment, Isak left with something more subtle: a first step in rebuilding his image in a new shirt, on an old stage that now views him very differently.

The boos never really relented, but Iraola felt his striker handled the hostility and still offered plenty to the team.

“I think he expected a little bit the atmosphere, I don't think it has been a big surprise for him,” he said. “I think he has tried everything, has given us good positions on the ball.

“Probably he has had a couple of situations to finish inside the box, but probably not the clearest that he wanted or we wanted, but I value that. He has continued pushing on in the game, fighting, and I think it's a good step for Alex for being the first game.”

One game in, Liverpool have a point, a new penalty pecking order on public display, and a record signing who has already stared down one of the most hostile returns the Premier League can offer. The question now is simple: how quickly can that pressure turn into goals?