**Liverpool left it late at St James’ Park as Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time penalty gave them a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United.**
It was a bit of a struggle for the Reds in Andoni Iraola’s first competitive game in charge of the club as they struggled to defend the Magpies’ threat going forward.
It’s not to say Liverpool didn’t have any good moments as they showed a lot of intensity and pressed from the front.
However, their frailties were laid bare by Newcastle United as they produced an impressive display under new boss Matthias Jaissle.
A lot of Liverpool players flattered to deceive, but Jermaine Pennant singled out Ryan Gravenberch and Jeremie Frimpong for criticism, adding that neither of them is good enough to be starting games for the club.
He wrote on X: “Gravenberch is not a DM, please go and get a proper DM before the window closes.
“Frimpong can’t be our first choice RB, and we need a top winger. This is not negotiable; it’s a must, cos we stole a pt today.”
> Gravenberch is not a DM, please go and get a proper DM before the window closes. Frimpong can’t be our first choice RB, and we need a top winger. This is not negotiable, it’s a must, cos we stole a pt today. Could be worse tho could be Man Utd and lose 2-0 to Hull 🤣🤣🤣 [#NEWLIV](https://x.com/hashtag/NEWLIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Jermaine Pennant (@pennant83) [August 23, 2026](https://x.com/pennant83/status/2091582681158910112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
Pennant has made his desires clear, but it doesn’t look like Liverpool will be signing a defensive midfielder or a right-back before the window closes.
Attacking reinforcements, however, are expected to arrive at Anfield as the likes of Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye and Yankuba Minteh have been heavily linked with the club.