NEWCASTLE, AUG 24 (AGENCIES): Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said his side’s refusal to give up salvaged a valuable point after Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time penalty secured a 2-2 Premier League draw at Newcastle United on Sunday.
Both Iraola and Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle were overseeing their first Premier League games at their new clubs.
Newcastle led 1-0 and 2-1, but Liverpool clawed their way back twice, finally securing a point with Szoboszlai’s spot kick in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
It was an underwhelming display against a Newcastle side that let itself down with a couple of costly defensive lapses.
The Magpies’ defence stood off early in the second half as Cody Gakpo cancelled out Anthony Elanga’s opener, while Lewis Hall’s foul on Liverpool’s Victor Munoz in the box when the game was all but over cost them two valuable points.
There was frustration for Newcastle at conceding such a late goal, but also pride given that former coach Eddie Howe stepped down and influential players such as Bruno Guimaraes (sold to Arsenal) and Sandro Tonali (sold to Tottenham Hotspur) left the club in the close season.
