Newcastle 2 Liverpool 2 – Sunday 23 August 2026 4.30pm
Instant fan/writer reaction from some of our regular contributors on The Mag.
Nat Seaton:
‘Feels like a defeat but that’s to be expected when they equalise with the last kick of the game.
I had it all planned in my head what I was going to write post match, so I’m just going to go with it…
Thank you, thank you, thank you – in all ways this was one of those days when it was a privilege to be at St James’ Park.
It was fitting that a new era begins by honouring the best there has ever been, Kevin you were adored and it shone out today. Wor Flags an amazing tribute!
As for the game, our ’new’ number 9 was the star of the show, I could go through all the players but he deserves a special mention.
Debutants took to the team and SJP as if they had always been there.
I was one of the optimists going into the season, and on this performance (I know it’s only one game!) maybe, just maybe we are going to have a good one!’
Billy Miller:
‘Jaissle and his players did themselves proud on the opening day.
A typical late spoiler from the Scousers to slightly ruin it.
Incredibly impressed with new boys Steur and Dedic.
And what about Wissa? If he plays like that all season the £55m will look like a bargain.
Plenty of scope for optimism.’
Matt Busby said…:
‘Ten seconds from such a different post-match reaction, instead it’s such a depressing walk home.
Gutted after watching that.
Wissa MOTM.
It was gonna be Lewis Hall…’
David Punton:
‘The finest lines in football on an emotional and breathless opening day of the season.
For the sake of a few seconds it’s a win. Wissa takes that chance and it’s a win.
Instead Liverpool do what they always tend to do, wriggle off the hook and in this case leave with a streaky point.
We should have won.
However, we played well, much better than I expected in fact. The team has plenty of pace and Wissa looked good.
What was Lewis Hall thinking at the end there?
We’d have taken a draw pre-kick off, given the apparent turmoil of so many players leaving, but we end up ruing a famous win slipping through our fingers.
The late heartbreak was a characteristic last season.
Jaissle needs to try and eradicate it but sadly for him it has flared up again this season on the first day.
That said, it’s a point against a cartel team and the season is off and running.
The tributes to Kevin Keegan were amazing. Well done to both clubs and both sets of fans there. ‘
Tony Mallabar:
‘OUCH AND OUCH again.
A new era begins as we said goodbye to to King Kev and for me personally, my mate Bri Ormston, who tragically passed away on the same day as King Kev.
Gone but never forgotten mate.’
Mark Jankowski:
‘More heartbreak against LiVARpool.
I went into today without much confidence and left with a little more encouragement than I expected.
Newcastle didn’t control the game but we always looked dangerous. Wissa was a man transformed today and if he can put in performances like that he’ll have a very good season. The only black mark on his day was failing to convert a one on one against Alisson in the latter stages but plenty of top strikers have been in that situation.
If we can get a more experienced midfielder to come in to play alongside Miley we’ll have a decent season.’
Newcastle 2 Liverpool 2 – Sunday 23 August 2026 4.30pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Elanga 5, Willock 57
Liverpool:
Gakpo 55, Szoboszlai 90+9 pen
Possession was Newcastle 39% Liverpool 61%
Total shots were Newcastle 13 Liverpool 27
Shots on target were Newcastle 4 Liverpool 7
Corners were Newcastle 2 Liverpool 6
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 16 Liverpool 36
Newcastle United team v Liverpool:
Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Lewis Miley (Bamba 76), Steur (Ramsey 56), Elanga (Murphy 76), Barnes, Osula (Willock 56), Wissa (Schar 95)
Subs:
Jaouen, Toure, Woltemade, Shahar