Liverpool were awful at St James’ Park, and the 2-2 scoreline should not disguise it.
The midfield pivot was the concern before a ball was kicked. Newcastle turned that concern into an alarm bell. They fought harder, won challenges, drove through the middle and repeatedly exposed a defence left staring at runners pouring towards them.
That is a sad indictment of a deplorable transfer window.
Liverpool have had months to recognise the obvious. This squad needed greater balance, greater physical authority and players capable of protecting the spaces Andoni Iraola’s football will inevitably leave. Richard Hughes and the recruitment team have reached the opening weekend without solving it. The manager has been handed a squad with glaring weaknesses and asked to perform surgery with half the instruments missing.
Newcastle are not a great side. That makes this more troubling. Better teams will look at the ease with which Liverpool were opened up and fancy their chances of taking them apart.
Virgil van Dijk was steady enough. Jeremy Jacquet showed encouraging signs in a brutal environment. Victor Muñoz brought badly needed pace, directness and purpose from the bench, eventually earning the penalty that allowed Dominik Szoboszlai to rescue Liverpool.
Beyond that, there was precious little to admire. Gravenberch, Frimpong, Kerkez, Wirtz, Isak; awful, absolutely awful.
Liverpool were flat, vulnerable and far too easy to bully. They escaped with a point. It felt like an escape.
Iraola has plenty of work ahead of him. Those responsible for this transfer window have even more.
A few days remain to give the manager some proper tools.
They had better get him them.
Post-Match Podcasts
Guy Drinkel is joined by Karl Matchett and Dave Hendrick on Post-Match RAW with fan reaction to Liverpool’s poor showing in the 2-2 Premier League draw at Newcastle this afternoon. - Listen Now
Gags Tandon is joined by Lola Katz Roberts to discuss Liverpool’s disappointing performance in the 2-2 draw at St James’ Park. - Watch Now
Liverpool Head Coach Andoni Iraola gave his thoughts on Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle. - Listen Now
Post-Match Articles
