St. James' Park had barely caught its breath when Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up in the 99th minute and smashed home a penalty to snatch Liverpool a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United — a breathless start to the 2026/27 Premier League season on Sunday, August 23.
Two new managers, two clubs with genuine ambition, and a match that delivered from the very first whistle to the very last second. This one had everything.
Newcastle Draw First Blood
The home side came flying. Anthony Elanga, electric down the right flank, found William Osula in the fourth minute and the striker finished with the composure of someone twice his experience. St. James' Park erupted. Newcastle were in business.
Liverpool pressed without ever quite breaking through. A compact Newcastle shape frustrated the Reds throughout the first half, and the travelling support headed into the break with questions they didn't expect to be asking so early in the season.
Gakpo Brings Liverpool Level
The second half told a very different story. Liverpool came out sharp and purposeful, and Cody Gakpo did the damage in the 54th minute — receiving Ryan Gravenberch's slipped pass before sliding the ball home with trademark calm. Level at 1-1. Game on.
The relief lasted just three minutes. Joe Willock burst forward and tucked Newcastle back ahead at 2-1, sending the Gallowgate into near delirium. With the clock ticking down, it looked like three points for the Magpies.
Szoboszlai's Ice-Cold Rescue
Liverpool threw everything at Newcastle in the dying stages. And in the 99th minute, a handball in the box gave the referee no choice. Penalty. Szoboszlai — no hesitation, not a flicker of doubt — stepped up and buried it.
Two-all. A point apiece. Liverpool showed character when it mattered most. Newcastle will rue what might have been, but there's plenty here to build on.
What This Means for Both Clubs
It's one game, but opening-day results reveal things about a team's mentality. Liverpool showed they won't roll over, even when things aren't going their way. Newcastle showed they can match the best in the division at home.
The 2026/27 Premier League season is officially up and running — and if this opener is anything to go by, football fans are in for one hell of a ride.
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