Newcastle United – Liverpool: New Era, Higher Tempo (2-2)

This was a game played at an exceptionally fast pace throughout, with Newcastle able to go ahead twice through counter-attacks against a Liverpool midfield eager to go forward. After an open game, Liverpool eventually managed to equalize in the last minute through a Dominik Szoboszlai penalty.

Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

Newcastle United hosted Liverpool in this season opener between two teams entering new eras. Eddie Howe departed the Newcastle dugout in the summer after a five-year stint, and he was followed out of the door by Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães who both made moves to north London. Matthias Jaissle is Howe’s replacement, having won trophies in both Austria and Saudi Arabia.

Liverpool were also making a fresh start with Andoni Iraola taking over from Arne Slot after underwhelming performances from the Reds last season under Slot. Liverpool also saw Ibrahima Konaté and Andrew Robertson leave the club in the summer, with Jérémy Jacquet and loanee Ronald Araújo coming the other way.

Jaissle lined his side up in a 4-2-3-1 shape for this game. Amar Dedić, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, and Lewis Hall made up the back four, while former Ajax youngster Sean Steur partnered Lewis Miley in central midfield. Antony Elanga and Harvey Barnes were the wingers either side of Yoane Wissa, who supported William Osula up top.

For Liverpool it was also a nominal 4-2-3-1 shape with a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez. Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were the double pivot with Florian Wirtz in the . . .