Dominik Szoboszlai scores 99th-minute penalty as Liverpool draw 2-2 at Newcastle

Pre-match tribute to Kevin Keegan

Supporters, officials, and former players at St James' Park united before kick-off on Sunday to honour Kevin Keegan, who died aged 75 in July. Keegan won three league titles and the European Cup across a six-year playing career at Liverpool before later steering Newcastle United to safety in the Second Division as manager in 1992. Several former Newcastle players attended the tribute, including Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, Peter Beardsley, and Faustino Asprilla. Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, who replaced Keegan on Merseyside following his transfer to Hamburg in 1977, was also present in the stands.

Newcastle take early lead on counter-attack

Newcastle opened the scoring in the fifth minute following a swift transition from their defensive third. Malick Thiaw intercepted Ryan Gravenberch outside the Liverpool penalty area, allowing Amar Dedic and Will Osula to advance possession toward the opposite end. Anthony Elanga received the ball and finished past goalkeeper Alisson into the far corner, ending his season-long league goal drought following a 55 million pound transfer from Nottingham Forest. The defensive concession presented an early problem for Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot after Liverpool conceded 53 Premier League goals during the 2025–2026 campaign.

Second-half exchanges and Willock strike

Liverpool equalised in the 55th minute when Cody Gakpo received the ball outside the penalty area, advanced forward, and drilled a low strike into the bottom corner. Newcastle restored their advantage less than two minutes later through Yoane Wissa, who won possession in his own half and carried the ball through midfield before setting up Joe Willock. Willock, introduced as a substitute shortly before the move, curled a bouncing effort past Alisson to make the score 2-1 in the 57th minute. The performance capped an effective outing for Wissa, who contested 18 duels during the match after recovering from medial ligament injuries that limited his debut season under former manager Eddie Howe.

Stoppage-time penalty and referee controversy

Newcastle held their advantage into second-half stoppage time until defender Lewis Hall collided with Liverpool substitute Victor Munoz in the penalty box. Referee Stuart Attwell awarded a spot kick in the 96th minute, prompting Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle to remove his blazer on the touchline in frustration. Former Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, who was booed by the home crowd on his return to St James' Park, sought to take the kick before Dominik Szoboszlai assumed responsibility. Szoboszlai converted the penalty into the top corner past goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek in the 99th minute, registering the latest successful spot kick in a Premier League match in 15 years.

Manager reactions and tactical assessment

Jaissle criticised the penalty call after the final whistle while speaking to reporters.

For me, that was not a penalty. It was a very soft decision. If you whistle something like that, we will see very, very many penalties.

Iraola acknowledged that his side faced defensive challenges but pointed to their perseverance across added time.

It's not the result you wanted before the game, but obviously finishing, scoring in the last minute, it gives you a better taste... I don't think we deserve to lose the game today.

Wissa reflected on the team's adaptation under Jaissle, who took charge three weeks prior following the summer departures of Howe, Bruno Guimaraes, and Sandro Tonali.

The manager came three weeks ago and gave us a lot of information, now we show on the pitch we are ready for the season. We needed this win to make a statement, but in the end we draw. We have so much to work on.