Liverpool drew 2-2 with Newcastle United in the opening match of the 2026-27 Premier League season. Newcastle took the lead twice at St James’ Park, but Liverpool avoided an opening-day defeat with a stoppage-time penalty.
Liverpool’s equalizer in the 99th minute
The decisive moment came in the ninth minute of stoppage time, with the match clock showing 99 minutes. Liverpool substitute Victor Muñoz won a penalty, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall committing the foul in the incident. Dominik Szoboszlai converted the penalty to score Liverpool’s second equalizer.
Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty changed the outcome of Liverpool’s season opener.
The scoring sequence between Newcastle and Liverpool
- 5th minute: Anthony Elanga scored Newcastle’s opening goal.
- 54th minute: Cody Gakpo scored Liverpool’s equalizer.
- 57th minute: Joe Willock restored Newcastle’s lead.
- 99th minute: Szoboszlai converted a penalty to make it 2-2.
Newcastle led early in the first half and again midway through the second half, but Liverpool came back both times. The final result was Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool.
The league debuts of two new managers
Andoni Iraola recorded a draw in his first Premier League match as Liverpool manager. Matthias Jaissle also took charge of his first league match as Newcastle manager. The match was notable as a meeting between the two managers in their first league games.
However, this result alone does not provide enough evidence to assess either manager’s long-term performance. This article confirms only the opening-match result and the players’ roles during the game.
Official video and sources
The match highlights from Newcastle United’s official YouTube channel can be viewed in the original player.
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UCwnQ35las
- Embed: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/1UCwnQ35las?rel=0&playsinline=1
Sources and verification date:
- Liverpool FC, https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/szoboszlai-scores-late-penalty-rescue-point-liverpool-season-opener-newcastle/ (checked August 29, 2026)
- Premier League, https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4695734/sunday-wrap-stoppage-time-drama-for-man-city-and-liverpool/ (checked August 29, 2026)
- Newcastle United, https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/fact-file-matthias-jaissle (checked August 29, 2026)
- Sky Sports, https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/13567632/newcastle-2-2-liverpool-dominik-szoboszlai-snatches-last-minute-leveller-from-penalty-spot-to-rescue-andoni-iraola (checked August 29, 2026)
- The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/aug/23/newcastle-united-v-liverpool-premier-league-live (checked August 29, 2026)