LIVERPOOL HELD TO 2-2 DRAW BY RESILIENT NEWCASTLE AS REDS MISS SALAH AND STRUGGLE UNDER NEW ERA

By Hubaibu Saad/ Monday, 24th August 2026

St. James' Park - Liverpool's new era under Andoni Iraola started with frustration as the Reds were held to a hard-fought 2-2 draw by a spirited Newcastle United at St James' Park on Monday night.

Liverpool manager Iraola, in what was his first major test since replacing Arne Slot this summer, admitted his side were caught off guard by a Newcastle team many had written off before kickoff. Newcastle had sold their star player in the summer window and were expected to struggle, but Eddie Howe used his available players perfectly and made Liverpool fight for every ball.

The result exposed a Liverpool side still searching for its identity after two major changes; a change of coach and the departure of Mohamed Salah.

The Reds' frontline looked blunt, failing to break down a well-organized Newcastle defence that sat deep and pressed high at the right moments.

Much of the focus was on Alexander Isak, who was handed a surprise start against the club that tried to sign him for two years. The Swedish striker, who finally completed his big-money move from Newcastle to Liverpool this summer, looked visibly uncomfortable throughout the first half. With relentless boos and pressure from the home fans at St James' Park, Isak struggled to find rhythm, missed his link-up play, and cut an isolated figure up front.

On the left wing, 16-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha was also given a bold start by Iraola, but the occasion appeared to get to the youngster. The highly-rated academy winger showed some of his dribbling talent, but he looked too young to carry the burden of such a high-intensity Premier League clash from the start. He was often isolated against Newcastle's experienced full-backs and lost most of his physical duels.

Newcastle, written off by many due to their depleted squad, showed character. They defended in numbers, pressed Liverpool's midfield, and punished the Reds' lack of cutting edge to earn a deserved point. It was a statement of resilience, proof that team spirit can still challenge title contenders.

After the game, Iraola conceded that his attack needs to find a new identity after the departure of their star man.

The Salah factor. That star man is Mohamed Salah. For seven seasons, Salah was Liverpool's guarantee 20 plus goals a season, assists, big-game moments, and leadership on the right wing. His departure at the end of last season has left a hole that Isak, Florian Wirtz and Ngumoha are now expected to fill.

Without Salah's cutting edge, Liverpool's attack against Newcastle lacked direct running and composure in the final third. The team had 68% possession but only three shots on target.

The Coach Effect: From Klopp to Slot to Iraola. The draw also highlighted the effect of constant coaching changes at Anfield. In just over two years, Liverpool have gone from Jurgen Klopp's high-pressing football, to Arne Slot's more controlled, possession-based system, to now Andoni Iraola's vertical, intense pressing style that made him famous at Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth.

Slot won the title in 2024/25 but was sacked last season after Liverpool finished 5th and crashed out of Europe early. His tenure was seen as too slow for the Premier League.

Iraola now faces the biggest job of his career. He needs time for players to adapt to his demands, higher pressing, quicker vertical passes, full-backs pushing higher. But at Liverpool, time is short.

Next Up: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest - A Must-Win At Anfield

Liverpool now turn their attention to their first home game of the 2026/27 Premier League season against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday, August 29, kickoff (2:30pm EAT).

It will be Iraola's first competitive home game in charge, and it will define the early mood at Anfield.

Forest, under new management themselves, are expected to sit deep in a tight block, exactly the kind of defence Liverpool failed to break down against Newcastle.

How Can Liverpool Strengthen Before Forest? Iraola has five days to fix three key areas:

Find a new leader in attack: Iraola must decide if Isak is ready to be the main No.9 or if Wirtz should play as a false nine to create overloads in midfield. Whoever plays on the right must replace Salah's output. That could mean giving Federico Chiesa or Ben Doak a chance to provide width and direct running against Forest.

Protect the young talent: Ngumoha is a huge prospect and the future of Liverpool, but starting him at St James' Park was a risk. Against Forest at Anfield, the better option would be to start with experience and bring the 16-year-old off the bench when the crowd is behind him. At Anfield, he can be explosive in the last 30 minutes.

Midfield control and balance: Liverpool lost control in the second half against Newcastle. With Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, Iraola needs more balance. Endo must sit and protect the back four led by Virgil van Dijk, while Szoboszlai must press higher to recreate the intensity Iraola had at Bournemouth.

A convincing win against Nottingham Forest, a team Liverpool should beat at home, will calm the fanbase and give the new project belief. Anything less than three points, and the pressure will grow quickly, especially with a tricky trip to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on September 4 and an emotional return to Bournemouth on September 20 for Iraola.

FT: Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool

NEXT: Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest - Saturday, August 29, Anfield.

For now, Anfield awaits. Without Salah, with a new coach, and after a shaky start, this is the beginning of a new Liverpool identity. Whether it works will be decided in the next 90 minutes.