Anthony Elanga Shines as Liverpool Struggles in Iraola's Debut

Andoni Iraola’s first competitive game in charge of Liverpool lasted barely five minutes before turning sour.

At a raucous St James’ Park, with two new managers pacing the technical areas and an opening‑day statement there for the taking, it was Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle who struck first – and brutally.

Liverpool had actually started with purpose. Virgil van Dijk climbed to meet an early set-piece, Cody Gakpo found space in the box. Half-chances, nothing more, but enough to quieten the noise for a moment.

Then Newcastle broke, and everything unravelled.

William Osula dropped into a pocket of space, far too easily for Gary Neville’s liking. The Sky Sports co-commentator immediately highlighted the gap Liverpool allowed him.

"You would expect Van Dijk and Jacquet to go with Osula but they let him drop in and turn," Neville said, unimpressed with the centre-backs’ positioning. "They don't push in. They are 15-20 yards deep of where they should be. You see Arsenal's defenders do it to perfection."

Osula turned and threaded a pass into the channel. From there, it became a footrace – Milos Kerkez against Anthony Elanga. There was only one winner.

The Swedish winger burned past Kerkez, cut into the box and drilled a precise finish across Alisson and into the far corner. St James’ Park erupted. Iraola’s shoulders dropped.

Neville’s focus quickly shifted from the runners in front of Alisson to the goalkeeper himself.

"Alisson might be a little close to that near post and it leaves a gaping hole for Elanga to find. That gap is far too big," he said, arguing the Brazilian had invited the shot. "Newcastle's best form of defense is attack and it turns into a sprint between Kerkez and Elanga. Liverpool can't catch him and he has to find the finish and he does."

Three senior figures – Alisson, Van Dijk and new signing Jeremy Jacquet – all came under scrutiny inside the opening exchanges of Iraola’s tenure. The high line didn’t squeeze. The press didn’t bite. The goalkeeper didn’t close the angle as Neville felt he should.

Jacquet’s selection had already been one of the main talking points before kick-off. Iraola had opted for the Frenchman ahead of fellow new arrival Ronald Araujo, explaining the call in his pre-match interview.

"It was a difficult call. Both of them played well in the last friendly Jeremy is comfortable with and without the ball," he said. "Playing against Osula and Wissa, who are good players, will not be easy. We have Ronald ready to go if we need him."

Within minutes, that decision was being examined under the harshest possible light.

Liverpool had come to Tyneside with intent, with a new manager and a refreshed back line meant to usher in a sharper, more aggressive era. Instead, an early lapse, a simple drop-and-turn from Osula and the raw pace of Elanga carved them open.

On opening day, in a new project, those are the moments that shape the mood far beyond 90 minutes.