Szoboszlai scores stoppage-time penalty to earn Liverpool a draw at Newcastle
On 23 August 2026, Dominik Szoboszlai converted a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a point for Liverpool in a Premier League match at Newcastle after a 2-2 draw that was settled in the final moments.
A banner in the Gallowgate End carried a quotation from the late Kevin Keegan: “I want people to dream about their football,” it read. “We should all be dreamers at heart.” The match quickly developed into a high-tempo, pressure-driven contest under Newcastle’s new head coach Matthias Jaissle and Liverpool’s Andoni Iraola, who was making his Premier League debut as Liverpool manager.
Newcastle took the lead after five minutes when William Osula accelerated past Jérémy Jacquet following Ryan Gravenberch’s loss of possession; Osula found Anthony Elanga down the right and Elanga’s finish beat Alisson. The early strike prompted a strong response from the visitors but Liverpool struggled at times to assert control, with Florian Wirtz providing the team’s clearest moments of cohesion in the first half.
Jaissle, three weeks into his tenure after succeeding Eddie Howe and formerly manager of Al-Ahli, deployed an energetic pressing system and trusted 18-year-old Sean Steur alongside Lewis Miley in holding roles. Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman performed well in central defence and Amar Dedic produced a notable debut at right-back following his £30m move from Benfica. Alexander Isak, the returning former Newcastle striker who completed a record £125m move to Liverpool last summer, received jeers from some home supporters but had little impact in the game.
Cody Gakpo levelled for Liverpool early in the second half with a first-time strike from outside the area that offered Hornicek no chance to save. Newcastle responded with a tactical reshuffle that saw Yoane Wissa move from No 10 to No 9, and Joe Willock introduced from the bench; Wissa’s skill created a pass that Willock curled past Alisson and in off the inside of the post to restore Newcastle’s lead.
Iraola made substitutions, replacing Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha with Alexis Mac Allister and Victor Muñoz, and Liverpool had other opportunities including Jacob Ramsey’s volley which came close and a miscued chance by Isak. Late in stoppage time, Muñoz was brought down by Lewis Hall in the penalty area, awarding Liverpool a spot-kick.
Szoboszlai stepped up and lashed the penalty high into the roof of the net to level the score in injury time, ensuring Liverpool left with a point from the fixture. The draw was secured by that final action and left both sides to reflect on a match decided in the closing moments.