Liverpool began its 2026-27 Premier League campaign by rescuing a 2-2 draw that seemed virtually impossible against Newcastle United. A penalty converted by Dominik Szoboszlai in the 90+7th minute punished a costly mistake from Lewis Hall and silenced a St James’ Park crowd that was already celebrating the Magpies’ first three points of the season.

The match was defined by its intensity, Newcastle’s counterattacks, and a Liverpool side that controlled possession for long stretches but struggled to turn that dominance into genuine danger.

Newcastle Strikes With Speed

The Magpies needed just four minutes to find the opening goal. William Osula led a spectacular transition before laying the ball off to Anthony Elanga, who fired a clinical finish across Alisson to send St James’ Park into a frenzy.

Liverpool responded by taking control of possession. Florian Wirtz came close to equalizing in the 17th minute, but Lukáš Horníček, making his debut in goal for Newcastle, produced an outstanding save.

The Reds began to dominate, but every turnover became a problem. Newcastle constantly exploited the spaces behind the full-backs and turned almost every transition into a threat.

Gakpo Equalizes, but Willock Responds

The visitors’ persistence was finally rewarded in the 54th minute. Cody Gakpo, who had already threatened from long range, was once again given space and unleashed a powerful low strike into the corner to make it 1-1.

Newcastle’s response, however, was immediate.

Just three minutes later, Joe Willock, who had only recently entered the match, finished another counterattack with a brilliant strike across Alisson. The 2-1 goal restored the Magpies’ advantage, and from that point on, the hosts even began to outperform their opponents.

Yoane Wissa had the opportunity to put the game away in the closing minutes, but Alisson won the one-on-one battle and kept the Reds alive.

One Mistake Changes Everything at the Death

Alexander Isak’s return to St James’ Park did not go as planned either. Booed for much of the match by his former supporters, the striker never looked comfortable and finished the game without registering a shot on target.

Everything appeared to be heading toward a Newcastle victory until the late drama arrived.

In the 90+5th minute, Lewis Hall committed a foul on Víctor Muñoz inside the penalty area, handing Liverpool one final opportunity.

Two minutes later, Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up and converted the penalty to make it 2-2.

It was a cruel ending for Newcastle United, which had all three points in its hands before letting them slip away virtually with the final kick of the match. For Liverpool, the draw felt like survival: Andoni Iraola’s side was far from its best but avoided opening its Premier League campaign with a defeat.

At St James’ Park, the new season began exactly as English football so often does: with intensity, goals, and drama until the very last second.

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