Liverpool began the Andoni Iraola era in dramatic fashion when they snatched a point at Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon. A Dominik Szoboszlai penalty nine minutes into stoppage time earned a 2-2 draw after the Reds had twice fallen behind to goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock either side of a Cody Gakpo equaliser.
The late drama meant Iraola's side avoided becoming the first Liverpool team to lose on the opening Premier League weekend in 14 years. But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes (and a bit more) at St James' Park.
Iraola irate
There was a lot to get frustrated about for Liverpool throughout a fitful display that highlighted the work Iraola needs to do to impose his style and standards on his new players. And that was rarely more apparent than during the first half when the head coach struggled to keep his emotions in check as Milos Kerkez took an eternity to close down Elanga before eventually conceding a corner.
Iraola's remonstrations on the touchline highlighted how he was not a happy camper. At all.
Handle with Kerkez
That wasn't the only time poor Kerkez got a bit of grief during a testing game for both the Hungarian and fellow full-back Jeremie Frimpong. With the game increasingly stretched and Newcastle looking to counter at every opportunity, one break saw them speed away down the Liverpool left.
Kerkez, though, showed a reluctance to go and engage his man, prompting Virgil van Dijk to remonstrate at his team-mate to be somewhat more proactive before sprinting over and helping sort out the danger himself. You tell 'em, Virg.
Grumpy Gravenberch
There was a distinct lack of cohesion to a lot of Liverpool's play, which to an extent was understandable given it was a first competitive game under a new head coach with a fresh approach. And not every player was on the same page. During one second half Newcastle attack, Ryan Gravenberch was forced to race over and close down an opponent, who then passed the ball into the space the Dutchman had vacated.
Gravenberch turned in the undoubted expectation one of his fellow midfielders had filled the gap, only to see Newcastle racing into wide open space on to the Liverpool defence. Cue Gravenberch throwing up his hands in disbelief.
Isak backed
Alexander Isak absolutely would have known what to expect on his first return to Tyneside following his controversial move to Liverpool last summer. And, boy, did the home supporters deliver. From the minute he stepped off the team coach to heading back on to it a good while after the game, Isak's every action was greeted with a cacophony of catcalls and jeers, the commitment to which was curiously commendable from the Toon Army.
But long after the final whistle, the Liverpool fans perched high in the stands made a point of breaking out into a more supportive Isak chant. Things can surely only get better for the Swede from here.
