Liverpool began their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Newcastle United on Sunday, twice coming from behind at St James’ Park.
Anthony Elanga fired the hosts ahead inside five minutes, latching onto a swift counter-attack before beating Alisson Becker.
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Cody Gakpo levelled just after the hour mark, only for substitute Joe Willock to restore Newcastle’s lead within seconds of coming off the bench.
Liverpool looked set for an opening-day defeat until Dominik Szoboszlai converted a stoppage-time penalty, awarded after Lewis Hall fouled Víctor Munoz, to snatch a 2-2 draw deep into added time.
The result marked the managerial bows of Andoni Iraola and Newcastle’s Matthias Jaissle, neither of whom could find a winning start.
Alexis Mac Allister was introduced from the bench in place of Florian Wirtz, and his display in midfield became a talking point on Monday Night Football afterwards.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville questioned Liverpool’s summer transfer business.
“I think that for Liverpool not to have signed a fullback to start with is incredible,” he said. “The idea that Kerkez and Frimpong can play in a back four all season. They’ll just concede goals with them alone.”
Neville turned to the midfield problem.
“We know that [Alexis] Mac Allister is a very good player. He did bring him on after I think 65 minutes and I think he is a good holding midfield player. But Liverpool do need a physical defensive midfielder.
“I can’t believe they’ve not recruited in those two areas, fullback and central midfield. I mean, he did put [Mac Allister] in there. Would that deal with it? But then what does he do with Wirtz?”
Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher responded by pointing to how the Reds midfield has changed since last season.
“What you’ve got to remember is, that midfield you’re talking about Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai that won a league two years ago,” he said.
“So since Florian Wirtz has come into the equation, that’s when Liverpool have looked really open.”
The former Liverpool defender then made his central point about Mac Allister’s standing in the current Premier League.
“Now I’ve got to be honest, I think Mac Allister, I think the Premier League each year gets quicker and more powerful and I think it’s left Mac Allister behind for me.”
Carragher also questioned whether Dominik Szoboszlai suits a central role.
“But going forward, I don’t see Szoboszlai as a center midfield player. He’s starting his fourth season at Liverpool and all of a sudden he’s a central midfield player. I don’t see it, I don’t think he’s got the discipline.”
He concluded that Liverpool need reinforcements alongside Ryan Gravenberch. “So I think Liverpool do need someone alongside Gravenberch.”
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