LONDON: Matthias Jaissle will never forget his introduction to English football. The 38-year-old’s first match in charge of a club in Europe’s Big Five was charged with high emotion, from a pre-match tribute for Kevn Keegan to stoppage-time drama after a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Jaissle complained in vain after the final whistle to referee Stuart Attwell but Lewis Hall had been correctly penalised for the equalising penalty and a relieved Liverpool have now gone 14 seasons without losing their opening match.

Apart from the point rescued by Dominick Szoboszlai’s 98th-minute penalty, there was little else for Florian Wirtz to celebrate. He made little impression on a frenetic, cup-tie style of clash and was substituted after only an hour by Andoni Iraola, on his own debut as Liverpool manager.

Fans from both Newcastle and Liverpool shared in an emotional pre-match tribute to Kevin Keegan who died last month at 75. A giant ‘King Kev’ banner was unfurled before a full black-and-white montage around the stands in honour of the man who was inspirational as player for both clubs and then again as manager at St James’ Park.

Sir Kenny Dalglish, former manager of both clubs, was among the old heroes in the crowd who joined in the one-minute’s applause before kickoff in memory of the man who epitomised what the stadium announcer described as “the beating heart of our club”.

The match in Keegan’s feisty style featured two clubs in transition and both managers picking appropriately attacking line-ups. Newcastle’s fans gave a noisily angry ‘welcome’ to Alex Isak who had controversially forced his transfer out to Liverpool at this time last year.

Jaissle promised before kickoff that “we are as ready as we can be.” He started Nick Woltemade among the substitutes and his selection choices were rewarded in only the fifth minute. Ryan Gravenberch gave the ball away on the edge of the Newcastle penalty box and William Osula raced away to provide Anthony Elanga with the assist to beat Alisson Becker.

Iraola had sent out Liverpool in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Dominick Szoboszlai and Gravenberch in support of teenaged Rio Ngumoha in the right wing role vacated by Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo on the left and Wirtz as the No10.

This is a big season for Wirtz now he knows all about the demands of the Premier League and has found, hopefully, a manager who can utilise him more effectively than did Arne Slot.

Wirtz struggled to make an impact in the first half against a Newcastle team, who fired up for the occasion, allowed him no time or space. He might have shot Liverpool level after only 18 minutes after interplay between Isak and Milos Kerkez. However Wirtz saw his shot pushed for a corner by keeper Lukas Hornicek.

Jaissle had told his players that he expected trust, respect and total commitment partly to make up for the summer sales of Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon. They needed to produce all of that in the first half to hold Liverpool at bay and reach halftime still in the lead.

Liverpool needed a quick response after the break and nearly produced it after forcing a left-wing corner. Szoboszlai flighted the ball to the far post but Isak’s headed was pushed clear by Hornicek. This was only the second touch that the Sweden striker had managed in the Newcastle penalty box so it was left to Cody Gakpo to fire the Reds back on terms.

The Dutchman had drifted into the centre of midfield, saw the Newcastle defence fall back and shot past Hornick from 25 metres.

Jaissle made two immediate substitutions. One involved replacing the injured William Osula with Joe Willock. His first touch was the kickoff after Liverpool’s equaliser and his second touch set him up to shoot Newcastle back ahead two minutes later. Willock’s goal was his first for the club since February 2024.

Liverpool responded by making their own changes with Wirtz and Ngumoha replaced by Alexis Mac Allister and Spain’s non-playing World Cup-winner Munoz. Neither could really complain but Liverpool’s desperation was eventually rewarded nine minutes into stoppage time.

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