Five Things We Learned From Newcastle Vs Liverpool In The Opening Game Of The Reds' Premier League Season

The Reds took on Newcastle in their opening game of the Premier League season, and played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at St James Park.

Goals from Cody Gakpo and a late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty earned Andoni Iraola a point in his first competitive game in charge of Liverpool, and here are five things we learned from this opening fixture of the season for LFC:

One of the shining lights in an otherwise concerning performance from Liverpool yesterday was the impact of Victor Munoz from the bench. Coming on for the last half an hour, the Spanish winger looking significantly more dangerous and constantly threatened the Newcastle United back line, eventually earning the Reds a vital penalty at the end of the game, which Dominik Szoboszlai converted.

But Munoz's energy and ability to weave through defences on the right hand side is something that the Reds have to have in their side going into their next game on Saturday, and despite how highly many rate Rio Ngumoha, he failed to have the desired impact on the right hand side yesterday.

Undoubtedly, both Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong both possess the ability to impact the game very well going forward, despite their poor performances yesterday. But what was made very clear was their defensive weaknesses. 

On the first Newcastle goal, Kerkez not only gets outrun by Anthony Elanga, but also out-muscled off the ball as well. And while yes, LFC aren't going to come up against someone with speed like Elanga every week, it now gives opposition teams a blueprint on how to exploit our defence. 

Jeremie Frimpong was slightly different as he was able to get forward more and also cover defensively, however he was part of the issues surrounding the second goal and going forward, despite having good opportunities to put balls into the box for our forward line, he failed to have the quality final ball. 

One thing that was abundantly clear from the moment that the teams were announced, this Liverpool squad lacks depth. On the bench for Liverpool they had the likes of James McConnell and Lewis Koumas, with the latter of those in Koumas coming on for the last 15 minutes.

And while the pair of them could have a big future at the club, the lack of experienced options that Andoni Iraola can turn to could become an issue as the season goes on. 

Additionally, Liverpool's starting midfield of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, while it has a lot of attacking ability going forward, it does not work defensively, especially when hit on the counter attack.

Both goals that Newcastle scored came directly from our midfield giving the ball away high up the pitch and leaving the defence with no cover for the fast moving Newcastle attack. 

It is clear for all to see that Liverpool need a defensive midfielder before the window closes. However, the message coming from the journalists is that Liverpool aren't looking to bring in a midfielder, despite the departure of Curtis Jones, with Trey Nyoni instead expected to step up in Jones absence. 

Andoni Iraola has the task of getting the most out of Liverpool's start attacking players in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, after previous manager Arne Slot failed to do so, but in his first competitive game in charge of the Reds, the same issues exist with the attacking duo.

Much of the noise surrounding this fixture was the return of Alexander Isak to St James Park, but while the Swedish striker was given much services from his teammates, when he did get the ball he looked sloppy and often gave the ball away.

As for Florian Wirtz, he also lacked any impact in the game, with the German often holding onto the ball for too long and getting dispossessed, and the fact he was subbed off at the hour mark really summarised Wirtz's performance against Newcastle.

The final thing to note from this opening game of the season is the futures of Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott before the transfer window closes next week. 

Neither of them were included in Liverpool's squad for this game, with Chiesa reportedly missing out due to a fitness issue, but no reason has been given as to why Elliott wasn't included, other than it was purely a selection choice from Andoni Iraola.

This has led to speculation that the pair of them are heading towards to Anfield exit doors, with James Pearce reporting that the fact that the duo were not in the squad at all for the Reds, it would be no surprise if they departed Liverpool in the remaining 8 days of the transfer window.