A dramatic encounter at St James Park saw Liverpool snatch a late share of the spoils against Newcastle United, courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai. The 2-2 draw provided an eventful introduction to English football for new Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle, whose side came agonizingly close to securing all three points on opening day.

The match also featured a high-profile return for forward Alexander Isak, who made the switch from Tyneside to Merseyside early last season. While Isak endured a frustrating afternoon against his former club, teammate Szoboszlai ultimately rescued the visitors deep into added time by calmly converting from the spot after a foul in the box.

Newcastle put in a disciplined team performance that highlighted several standout individual displays. Yoane Wissa earned high marks for an energetic display in a central playmaking role under Jaissle, showcasing sharp movement and setting up a goal with a powerful run. Anthony Elanga also capitalized on his opportunity by netting the opening goal with a precise finish into the bottom corner.

Debutants Lukas Hornicek and Amar Dedic both made strong impressions after stepping into the starting lineup. Hornicek delivered a composed performance in goal, highlighted by a sharp flying save in the first half and a crucial stop to deny Isak after the break. Dedic, who recently arrived from Benfica in a thirty-million-pound transfer, contributed a vital defensive intervention early on to thwart a dangerous Liverpool attack.

Liverpool struggled defensively for much of the contest, with full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez enduring difficult afternoons trying to contain Newcastle's wide threats. Frimpong received a yellow card for a foul on Harvey Barnes, while Kerkez was also cautioned in the first half after falling behind the pace of Newcastle's opening goal.

Despite an uncharacteristically mixed performance from the visiting side, Liverpool managed to maintain pressure late in the fixture. Ryan Gravenberch marked his century of Premier League appearances by contributing an assist for Cody Gakpo, helping keep his team in the contest before Szoboszlai's dramatic late equalizer sealed the draw.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.