Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool: Szoboszlai penalty sees Liverpool rescue point

It was the late late show in the North East this afternoon, as Liverpool netted a 98th-minute penalty to rescue a point at St.James’ Park.

The hosts took the lead inside five minutes, when Anthony Elanga netted his first Premier League goal in Newcastle colours. Liverpool got their equaliser early in the second half, when Cody Gakpo‘s ferocious strike from range drilled into the bottom corner.

Parity didn’t last long, though, as just five minutes later, Joe Willock curled home to restore Newcastle’s lead. However, Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to the spot and calmly dispatched it to level the score with virtually the last kick of the game.

Emotional tributes, including three separate crowd displays and a minute’s applause, were paid to Kevin Keegan ahead of kick-off, who sadly passed away over the Summer at 75-years-old following a battle with cancer.

On the pitch, 21-year-old Summer signing Jérémy Jacquet started alongside Virgil Van Dijk in the Liverpool backline. Aleksander Isak led the line for the Reds on his return to St. James’ Park. Meanwhile, Newcastle featured three new signings in their starting XI: Sean Steur, Amar Dedic and Lukás Hornícek.

It took just four minutes for the Magpies to take flight, when a rampant counterattack ended with Elanga breaking past Milos Kerkez before picking out the bottom corner to give the hosts the lead. Gakpo looked to bring Liverpool back level almost immediately, but his volley was well blocked by Malick Thiaw.

Florian Wirtz fired goalwards 10 minutes later; this time Hornícek was the one to keep Liverpool at bay. Dedic had a chance to show the home crowd what he’s all about minutes later, driving into the box before winning a corner for his side. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to make the set-piece count.

William Osula was threaded through by Yoanne Wissa in the 23rd minute, but he couldn’t quite reach the ball on the stretch. Szoboszlai was brought down by Wissa shortly after, resulting in a yellow card for the Newcastle number nine. Szoboszlai stepped up to take on the strike from distance, but hit the wall.

Kerkez’s battle with Elanga continued as the game reached the half-hour mark; the Hungarian came off worst again, wrestling with the winger and receiving a yellow card. Jeremie Frimpong was also added to the book seconds later.

A fourth yellow in 10 minutes followed, this time to Lewis Miley after he clipped Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the park. Despite Liverpool huffing and puffing, Newcastle headed in at half-time with a 1-0 lead.

A Szoboszlai corner in the opening moments of the second half reached the far post; however, it was eventually palmed away from danger by Hornícek. At the other end of the pitch, Dedic created room to shoot on the edge of the area, but lifted his strike over the bar.

Liverpool got their equaliser a few minutes later, when Gakpo’s ferocious strike from range drilled into the bottom corner. A double change followed for the hosts, with Willock and Jacob Ramsey replacing Steur and Osula.

Willock made an immediate impact on the game, picking out the far corner from just inside the box to round off a brilliant counter from the Magpies and regain their lead for his first top-flight goal in over two years.

Liverpool’s first changes followed, with Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha replaced by Alexis Mac Allister and Víctor Muñoz. Ramsey was shown a yellow card moments later, after bringing down Isak outside the area. Szoboszlai took the free-kick and found Van Dijk at the far post, but his effort was caught by Hornícek.

Gakpo peeled off at the back post and laid the ball off to Isak, who fired over the bar to plenty of jeers from the home supporters. Jacquet then made way for Ronald Araujo to make his competitive debut for Liverpool, with 20 minutes left on the clock.

Elanga was withdrawn to a standing ovation in the 76th minute and replaced by Jacob Murphy; Aladji Bamba also replaced Miley in the middle of the park. Gravenberch was then replaced by Lewis Koumas shortly after.

Murphy was then shown the sixth yellow card of the afternoon, presenting Szoboszlai with another free-kick opportunity that he failed to make the most of. As five minutes of additional time were announced, Van Dijk was added to Stuart Attwell’s notebook.

Koumas showed his first signs of promise since coming on when he dribbled into the Newcastle box and won a late corner for his side. However, Hornícek’s superb debut continued as he came off his line to punch the ball away. Fabian Schar was then introduced to see out the game, replacing Wissa.

Late drama followed when Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Muñoz was brought down by Lewis Hall. Szoboszlai stepped up to the spot and fired into the top corner to level the score with the very last kick of the game.