Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola offered his thoughts after his side came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
The result means Liverpool begin the new campaign with a point on the road, having had to fight back against a determined Newcastle outfit at St James' Park. While details of the goalscorers and the flow of the match were not extensively outlined, the outcome saw the visitors salvage a share of the spoils with a telling contribution arriving late in the contest.
Speaking after the final whistle, Iraola highlighted the particular satisfaction that comes from finding a goal deep into a match, suggesting that the timing of such moments adds extra significance to the achievement. "When you score at the end it tastes better," Iraola said, capturing the relief and pride felt by his players after their late intervention denied Newcastle a first victory of the season.
The draw represents a mixed start for Iraola's Liverpool side, who will have targeted a winning opening to the campaign but can take encouragement from their resilience in fighting back against a Newcastle team that will also have been buoyed by taking a share of the points on home soil. For a head coach entering a new era at Anfield, moments like this late equaliser can serve as important building blocks, both for morale and for the belief that his team can respond under pressure.
Newcastle, for their part, will have been disappointed not to hold on for a win after what appeared to be a promising position in the match. Opening day fixtures often set an early tone for the season, and a draw against one of the league's traditional heavyweights will not be viewed as a poor result by the Magpies' faithful, even if the manner of conceding late will sting.
For Liverpool, the challenge now turns to building consistency as the season progresses. Iraola, in his remarks, seemed to embrace the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies late goals and hard-fought points, framing the experience as one that enhances the value of the result rather than diminishing it. His comments suggest a manager keen to extract positives from a challenging afternoon, using the drama of the finish as a rallying point for his squad moving forward.
The Premier League season is only just beginning, and this opening weekend has already provided a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change within a single match. Liverpool's ability to fight back for a point, rather than succumb to defeat, will be seen by many as a sign of character under their new head coach, even as questions remain about how the team will develop tactically and competitively over the coming months.
With 37 more league games to come, both Liverpool and Newcastle will look to build on this opening result. For Iraola and his players, the late equaliser offers a taste of what can be achieved when perseverance pays off, a theme he will hope to reinforce as the Reds continue their pursuit of silverware in the season ahead.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.