Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa delivered standout performances as Newcastle United drew 2-2 with Liverpool at St James' Park, with co-owner Jamie Reuben watching on from the executive boxes.
Elanga opened the scoring, racing through on goal after latching on to Will Osula's through ball and firing the ball across Alisson into the net. Wissa then bulldozed his way through the Liverpool defence before feeding Joe Willock into a dangerous position on the left-hand side; Willock cut inside and curled an effort beyond Alisson into the bottom corner.
Co-owner's presence and transfer decisions
Reuben was present alongside sporting director Ross Wilson and chief executive David Hopkinson on an emotionally charged afternoon that ranged from tributes to Kevin Keegan to a brutal return for former Magpies forward Alexander Isak. The co-owner has maintained a hands-on approach this summer, having also kept a watchful eye over proceedings at Newcastle's pre-season training camp in La Manga.
Newcastle now face a decision over Willock, who impressed in the number 10 role from the bench. Besiktas are set to step up their interest in the former Arsenal man this week, and United must decide whether he has a future at the club this season or whether this week remains the right time to cash in on the 26-year-old.
Elanga and Wissa's impact
No such decisions will be taken on Elanga and Wissa, who cost a combined £110 million last summer. Both players backed up positive summers with excellent performances on the opening day of the season.
The pair struggled to make an impact in their first campaign at the club but have built on positive World Cup performances with their countries with impressive pre-seasons. Their displays against Liverpool should give everyone around the club a huge lift that they can produce the type of football that attracted Newcastle to them in the first place.
Manager's praise for Wissa
Wissa's performance, in particular, caught his manager's eye with a breathless display in the number 10 role. He is set for a big role under Jaissle this season, even if his manager felt he should have 'killed the game' with a huge chance in the dying minutes that saw Alisson deny him from point blank range.
"Amazing performance even though he could have killed the game but this is football," Jaissle said about Wissa's performance. "When I talk about Wiss it is not just if he scores or making assists, it is about how he is committed and working for his team-mates. This should be the base and the fundamentals for Newcastle United."
It is a big platform for both players to build on and hopefully a sign of things to come this season rather than being an exception to the rule.
