Szoboszlai's Last-Gasp Penalty Rescues Liverpool Against Newcastle

Dominik Szoboszlai buried a penalty deep into stoppage time to snatch a 2-2 draw for Liverpool and rip the victory from Newcastle United’s grasp on a dramatic opening day at St James’ Park.

The game had started perfectly for the hosts. Barely five minutes in, Anthony Elanga struck the first blow, punishing Liverpool with an early opener that sent noise rolling around the ground and set the tone for a frantic afternoon.

Liverpool absorbed the hit and spent the rest of the first half chasing rhythm. It finally came after the interval. On 55 minutes, Cody Gakpo drilled in the equaliser, a sharp finish that briefly quietened the home crowd and suggested Andoni Iraola’s new-look side were beginning to find their edge.

That calm lasted all of two minutes.

Newcastle broke with purpose, Elanga again at full tilt. He surged upfield and slipped the ball to Joe Willock, who curled a superb long-range effort beyond Alisson. One swing of his right boot, and Matthias Jaissle’s side were back in front, the stadium roaring them towards what looked like a statement win under their new head coach.

Liverpool pushed, but time drained away. Newcastle sat on the lead, closing passing lanes, contesting every duel. The clock crept into added time and the home fans tasted that first-day satisfaction.

Then came the twist.

Lewis Hall clipped Liverpool debutant Víctor Muñoz inside the box in the dying seconds, a rash challenge that instantly sucked the sound out of the stands. The penalty was clear. The delay felt endless.

Szoboszlai stepped up in the ninth minute of added time and lashed the spot-kick home with authority, rescuing Iraola’s side and turning what had seemed a home celebration into a stunned silence.

On the touchline, the two new managers were left to settle for a point apiece on their league debuts with their clubs. Jaissle, the man chosen to succeed Eddie Howe, had come within seconds of a perfect start. Iraola, replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool, saw his team show late steel when it mattered most.

Alexander Isak, back in the north-east after an injury-hit first season at Liverpool following his move from Newcastle, endured a subdued afternoon. The forward was largely contained, unable to leave a mark on his former home.

Before any of the drama, both clubs had stood together for an emotional tribute to Kevin Keegan, the iconic figure of both Liverpool and Newcastle, who recently died at the age of 75. The applause, the memories, the shared sense of loss framed the afternoon.

What followed was chaos, tension and, in the end, a reminder that neither of these new eras will be allowed to settle quietly.