An emotional Premier League opening weekend at St James' Park ended in dramatic fashion as Dominik Szoboszlai's stoppage-time penalty earned Liverpool a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United, extending their unbeaten run at the venue to ten games.
The match, played amid heartfelt tributes to the late Kevin Keegan, who died in July, saw both sets of supporters unite before kick-off with mosaics, a Keegan-inspired banner and a minute's applause. Players from both sides warmed up in shirts marked "Keegan 7", and former Newcastle greats including Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and David Ginola attended alongside Keegan's family. Liverpool legends Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush laid a wreath outside the stadium in his memory.
Once the tributes ended, Matthias Jaissle's Newcastle side, just weeks into his tenure following Eddie Howe's departure, made an ideal start. In the fifth minute, debutant Amar Dedic released William Osula, whose clever pass sent Anthony Elanga away from Milos Kerkez. Elanga finished coolly past Alisson Becker to give the hosts the lead.
Alexander Isak, returning to St James' Park for the first time since his £125million move to Liverpool last summer, was met with a hostile reception and boos whenever he touched the ball. The Swedish striker endured a difficult afternoon, failing to register a shot on target in the first half and squandering a clear opportunity later in the game.
Liverpool, under new head coach Andoni Iraola in his Premier League bow, struggled defensively but began finding rhythm through Florian Wirtz, who was denied by a smart save from Lukas Hornicek before being replaced after an hour. The equaliser arrived in the 55th minute when Cody Gakpo drilled a first-time strike from 25 yards beyond Hornicek following a Ryan Gravenberch assist.
The lead swung back to Newcastle almost immediately. Yoane Wissa, deployed effectively in the number 10 role, weaved past three defenders before setting up substitute Joe Willock, who had been on the pitch for barely two minutes. Willock curled a precise finish inside the post to restore Newcastle's advantage and was mobbed by teammates in celebration.
Newcastle came close to extending their lead as the game progressed, with Jacob Ramsey firing a volley wide and Alisson denying Wissa in a one-on-one situation. However, Liverpool were awarded a lifeline deep into stoppage time when referee Stuart Attwell judged that Lewis Hall had brought down substitute Victor Munoz inside the box. Szoboszlai stepped up and buried the penalty high into the net to snatch a share of the spoils in the ninth minute of added time.
Despite the disappointment of conceding late, Jaissle will have taken encouragement from his side's overall performance, particularly from a defense featuring Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman, and the impressive full debut of Dedic following his £30million move from Benfica. Eighteen-year-old Sean Steur also impressed in his first Premier League outing alongside Lewis Miley in midfield.
For Iraola, the result offered a mixed start to his Liverpool tenure, with defensive frailties exposed but enough quality on show, particularly from Gakpo and Szoboszlai, to salvage a point. Isak and Wirtz, two of Liverpool's marquee attacking talents, will know they need to contribute more as the season progresses.
The draw leaves both sides with work to do as they begin their campaigns, though the occasion itself was ultimately overshadowed by the poignant celebration of Keegan's legacy at a club where he remains an enduring icon.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football, BBC Sport Football, Independent Football, and Standard Football.