Liverpool Begins 2026/27 Premier League Season with Draw Against Newcastle
Liverpool started their 2026/27 Premier League season with a challenging draw against Newcastle.
A late penalty, converted by Dominik Szoboszlai, salvaged a point for Andoni Iraola’s team, which may not have been entirely deserved.
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Newcastle took the lead twice with goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock, with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo equalizing on one occasion.
Iraola appreciated the contribution of Spanish FIFA World Cup winner Victor Munoz, whose late-game efforts earned the crucial spot-kick.
Liverpool Needs a Natural No. 6
Based on this performance, it appears that getting Liverpool into the ideal shape envisioned by the Basque manager may take some time. The trouble began early, as Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the fifth minute.
Midfielders Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch found themselves upfield during a Magpies counterattack, which left them vulnerable.
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This lapse proved costly, as Elanga capitalized by outpacing Milos Kerkez to score.
Szoboszlai and Gravenberch Exposed
Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet found themselves without support from the midfield during this counter, a situation that occurred on multiple occasions as Szoboszlai and Gravenberch frequently ventured too far forward.
Liverpool opted not to invest in a specialist defensive midfielder during this summer’s transfer window. After spending £100 million on Munoz and Jacquet, funds appear limited for potential new wingers.
Despite an emphasis on trusting Wataru Endo as a backup option, it seems risky to rely on Trey Nyoni, who is expected to see increased playing time under Iraola.
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Sporting director Richard Hughes faces criticism for allowing the team’s midfield composition to become so unbalanced, especially following the sale of Curtis Jones to Inter Milan for £30 million.
Midfield Opportunities Missed
Liverpool clearly needs a natural defensive midfielder. Neither Gravenberch nor Szoboszlai comfortably fits the role at the base of midfield. Another potential option, Alexis Mac Allister, also does not provide an adequate solution.
With numerous top midfield signings made elsewhere in the Premier League this summer, it is surprising that Liverpool did not also participate in the market.
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This strategy could prove detrimental for Iraola as the season progresses and the team’s defense faces greater challenges.
By then, Hughes may have already left for Saudi Arabia, leaving the Spanish manager to handle the fallout.
Liverpool got their 2026/27 Premier League season off to a rocky start at Newcastle.
A late penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai gave Andoni Iraola’s side a point they might not necessarily have deserved.
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Goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock twice put the Toon in the lead – with the opener being cancelled out by Cody Gakpo.
Iraola will be grateful for a cameo from Spain FIFA World Cup winner Victor Munoz – whose pace and industry earned the spotkick in added time.
Liverpool crying out for natural No6
On this showing however it’s going to take time to get this Liverpool exactly where the Basque tactico wants it. The evidence was there as early as the fifth minute when Elanga gave Newcastle the lead.
Szoboszlai and midfield partner Ryan Gravenberch were both caught out upfield for a Magpies counter – with Florian Wirtz appearing as the deepest chasing midfielder.
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That spelt disaster for the Reds with Swede Elanga making no mistake after beating Milos Kerkez in a foot race.
Szoboszlai and Gravenberch caught out
Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet were left with zero protection from the midfield on that counter – and it wasn’t the only occasion where Szoboszlai or Gravenberch or both were caught too high up the pitch.
Liverpool have made the decision to avoid paying for a specialist No6 in this summer’s transfer window. Having spent £100m on Munoz and Jacquet money is at a premium and likely to go in any case on a new winger or two.
The Anfield club have been making noise about trusting Wataru Endo as a deputy while Trey Nyoni is set to feature a bit more under Iraola.
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It’s negligent however for sporting director Richard Hughes to end up with a midfield as unbalanced as this one – especially having sold Curtis Jones to Inter Milan for £30m.
Plenty of midfielders were available
Liverpool are crying out for a natural defensive midfielder. For all their qualities neither Gravenberch nor Szoboszlai are comfortable enough to play at the base of midfield. Another option – Alexis Mac Allister – doesn’t answer the question either.
In a summer where several top midfield signings have been completed around the Premier League it’s scarcely believable that Liverpool have stayed out of the races.
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That decision could backfire for Iraola as the season goes on and the defence becomes increasingly exposed.
Richard Hughes will have high-tailed it to Saudi Arabia by that point and it will be the Spanish manager who will be left to face the music.
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