Liverpool left St James' Park with a point, courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai, but ******* ody should pretend this was a polished opening-day performance. It was dramatic, it was frantic and it underlined both the strengths and flaws of Andoni Iraola's side in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
There was character, certainly. There was pressure, plenty of it. There was also sloppiness in key moments, especially in transition, and that remains the obvious concern after a game in which Liverpool spent long spells on top yet still needed a 99th-minute spot-kick to avoid defeat.
Iraola's verdict was direct enough. "I think because you score at the end you probably have a better taste. Before the game, we wouldn't have signed this result probably." That sums it up. Liverpool did enough to feel mildly frustrated, but not enough to complain too loudly.
Photo: IMAGO
Newcastle struck early through Anthony Elanga and immediately gave Liverpool the sort of problem they had expected all week, pace in open ******* e. The visitors responded after the break through Cody Gakpo, then fell behind again when Joe Willock restored the home side's lead. At that point, Liverpool were staring at an opening-weekend defeat.

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