Liverpool salvaged a valuable point after Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time penalty secured a 2-2 Premier League draw at Newcastle United.
Winger Anthony Elanga had given Newcastle a dream start to the season, scoring in the fifth minute, after a brilliant counter-attack that ended up with him flashing a shot into the far corner.
Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo levelled for Liverpool 10 minutes after the break, picking up the ball outside the box and advancing before drilling a shot into the corner of the net.
Joe Willock came off the bench to score what looked likely to be the winner for Newcastle with a curling shot that silenced the Liverpool fans.
However, Newcastle defender Lewis Hall barged into Liverpool substitute Victor Munoz, and the refreee awarded a penalty.
Dominic Szoboszlai stepped up and fired the ball into the net to the delight of the fans as the Hungarian secured a valuable point for Liverpool.
“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,” Iraola said.
“I value the effort from the players, they never gave up, and at the end it arrived, and we could recover at least one point.”
There was frustration for Newcastle at conceding such a late goal, but also pride given that former coach Eddie Howe stepped down and influential players such as Bruno Guimaraes (sold to Arsenal) and Sandro Tonali (sold to Tottenham Hotspur) left the club in the close season.
“It’s rough, especially 30 seconds before the end of the game, but that’s a huge step for us. That’s the mentality we need to have through the season,” Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa said.
“The manager (Jaissle) 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.”
Sunday’s Premier League results
Brighton 4-0 Aston Villa
Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth
Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool.
