Dominik Szoboszlai's Last-Minute Penalty Salvages Draw for Liverpool Against Newcastle

Dominik Szoboszlai buried a penalty deep into stoppage time to rip two points from Newcastle’s grasp and drag Liverpool out of trouble on a wild afternoon at St James’ Park that Kevin Keegan would have recognised instantly.

The Hungary midfielder stepped up in the ninth minute of added time, sending Lukas Hornicek the wrong way from 12 yards after Lewis Hall was judged to have tripped substitute Victor Munoz. The ball hit the net, the away end exploded, and Newcastle’s 10-game unbeaten run at home in the Premier League survived by the finest of margins.

Newcastle had done enough to win it. They thought they had won it.

Joe Willock, on the pitch for only seconds, had thundered them back in front on 57 minutes, arriving from the bench to finish coolly across Alisson Becker after sharp work from Yoane Wissa. That strike came almost immediately after Cody Gakpo’s leveller, which had wiped out Anthony Elanga’s first-half opener and briefly swung the momentum Liverpool’s way.

Instead of a statement victory, the Magpies were left with frustration and a sense of injustice. Liverpool escaped with a 2-2 draw and a long list of questions of their own.

Keegan tribute, hostile return

This was supposed to be a day of shared nostalgia. Tyneside and Merseyside united before kick-off to honour Keegan, the man who lit up both clubs. Players from both sides emerged for the warm-up in Keegan number seven shirts, and an emotional tribute set the stage.

Once the whistle went, the sentiment vanished.

Alexander Isak, back at St James’ Park as a £130 million Liverpool forward and the man Wissa has been brought in to help replace, walked into a wall of noise from the 52,630 crowd. Every touch drew jeers. Every misstep, cheers.

Newcastle struck first, and fast. On just five minutes, impressive debutant Amar Dedic slid a clever ball into Will Osula, who waited, waited, then released Elanga at exactly the right moment. The Sweden international burned past Milos Kerkez and drilled a low right-foot finish across Alisson into the far corner. Simple move, ruthless finish. St James’ roared.

Liverpool tried to hit back immediately. Hornicek had to react sharply to beat away a deflected effort from Florian Wirtz on 18 minutes, but that was as close as they came for a while. Andoni Iraola’s side saw plenty of the ball, yet their passing grew slack and invited pressure they could not afford.

Lewis Miley almost doubled the lead with a raking pass that released Dedic down the right, his shot clipping Kerkez and flying behind. Jeremy Jacquet then did just enough to stop Osula from latching on to a threaded pass from Wissa as Newcastle sniffed a second.

Szoboszlai had a chance to make something happen from a 26th-minute free-kick after Wissa tugged him back, but he smashed it straight into the wall. By half-time, Newcastle’s narrow lead felt earned and secure, the visitors reduced to sterile possession.

Gakpo strikes, Willock answers

Liverpool emerged with more intent after the break. Szoboszlai’s early corner caused brief panic in the Newcastle box, but the clearer chances fell at the other end. Harvey Barnes and Elanga broke at pace and had the visitors stretched, only to waste the opening. Miley then dragged a 48th-minute effort wide when he had time to test Alisson.

Those misses grew in significance when Gakpo finally found his range. On 53 minutes, he curled one just over with Hornicek rooted. Two minutes later, he didn’t miss. Given space 25 yards out, Gakpo stepped into the shot and lashed a skidding drive past the Newcastle keeper. 1-1, and Liverpool suddenly had a foothold.

The response was immediate and ferocious.

Barely had the celebrations died down when Wissa twisted and turned on the edge of the box, opening a lane for Willock. The substitute shifted inside and drilled a precise finish across Alisson into the far corner. St James’ erupted again. Newcastle back in front, their new era under Matthias Jaissle pulsing with energy.

From there, the hosts looked the likelier to score next. Jacob Ramsey, another substitute, dragged a 70th-minute volley wide when well placed. Wissa, outstanding throughout, burst clear one-on-one, only for Alisson to stand tall and block.

Jaissle, only weeks into the job and still working with a squad that may yet change before the window shuts, prowled the touchline, encouraged by the intensity and cohesion on show. His team pressed, harried, and broke with menace. For long stretches, Liverpool had no answers.

Late twist, long memories

Then came the twist.

Deep into stoppage time, with Newcastle clinging on, Munoz drove into the box. Hall stepped across, there was contact, and referee Stuart Attwell pointed straight to the spot. Hall’s reaction told its own story – arms out, disbelief etched on his face – but the decision stood.

Szoboszlai waited. The noise swirled. One clean strike later, Liverpool were level and Newcastle’s afternoon of promise had been reduced to a single point.

Iraola will travel back across the Pennines relieved to have something to show for a disjointed display, yet fully aware that the questions over his side’s defensive frailty and bluntness in open play will not go away.

Jaissle, by contrast, walks away with a debut home performance full of intent, aggression and attacking threat, but no defining win to anchor it. On a day built around Keegan’s legacy of chaos and courage, Newcastle delivered the spectacle.

Now they have to prove they can turn this kind of theatre into a season of substance.