Szoboszlai’s late penalty rescues point for Iraola’s Liverpool at Newcastle

Liverpool’s new manager, Andoni Iraola, secured a point in his first competitive fixture as the visitors drew 2-2 with Newcastle United at St James’ Park. The result came after a stoppage-time penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai, which denied the home side a win in the Premier League’s opening match of the 2026-27 campaign.

The match, played on 23 August 2026, saw Liverpool trail twice during the contest before finding a way back into the game. Despite the late equaliser, the performance raised questions about the team's consistency, a point acknowledged by Iraola in his post-match assessment.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Iraola conceded that the result might not have been the ideal outcome heading into the match, but he maintained that his side had earned the point. "It's probably not the result you want when you come in before the game but we definitely deserve this point and even more," he said.

The manager highlighted the resilience of his squad, noting that the team never gave up despite the challenges faced during the first and second halves. He suggested that the late goal made the point taste even better, reflecting the stoppage-time nature of Szoboszlai’s penalty.

While the specific scorers for Newcastle United’s two goals were not detailed in the primary source, the final scoreline confirmed a hard-fought draw. The fixture served as a significant early-season test for both clubs, with Liverpool avoiding an opening defeat under new leadership.

The match report and highlights were published by BBC Sport, with some video content restricted to UK users. The result provides a foundation for Liverpool’s season, albeit one that may require further refinement in terms of performance and control.