Newcastle vs Liverpool takeaways: 2 winners and losers from 2-2 thriller

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Dominik Szoboszlai spared Liverpool's blushes and decade long undefeated opening day record with an emphatic penalty in the 99th minute after a stuttering start from the Reds.Anthony Elanga's opener highlighted structural issues in Liverpool's midfield and, after Cody Gakpo's equaliser, Joe Willock's goal made them even more obvious. But Newcastle away with a new manager after a torrid season last year was not the easiest start to proceedings, and while Andoni Iraola will be disappointed with a draw, there is plenty of time for the Reds to improve.So, after Sunday's bout, who were the winners and losers in Liverpool's squad?Winners:1 - Iraola's substitutesSquad depth has been a hotly contested issue all summer.

Ronald Araujo and Lewis Koumas also helped add freshness into Liverpool's performance late in the second-half, with the Uruguayan providing more bite in defence, and the Welshman injecting a sense of urgency with his pressing.It's important Iraola trusts those on his bench, and at the moment, it's clear the Basque head coach has options he wants to turn to during a game.2 - Dominik SzoboszlaiPrior to the penalty, the Hungarian didn't have the best of games. However, it cannot be understated just how difficult that penalty was - in a high pressure cooker environment, so loud he wasn't able to even hear the referee's whistle, and yet it looked like a penalty he could do with his eyes closed.Liverpool's number 8 goes one way when taking penalties - his left, the keeper's right.

And yet, the only time he has missed is when he's hit the bar or post. Gravenberch filled that role well in the 2024/25 season, and while Szoboszlai naturally attacks more as well, the issue now is that the spaces Wirtz picks up are congested with not only opposition players, but his own team mates too.It will remain to be seen if this is by design and part of Iraola's tactics, but it didn't work on Sunday and left the Reds vulnerable on the counter.2 - Liverpool's fullbacksIt was a tough afternoon for Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong (amongst many others).Liverpool fans were spoilt with a legendary fullback pairing for the better part of 10 years, and as a result expectations for Kerkez and Frimpong could be a little too high.Both players are good at what they do.