Liverpool Stunned by Newcastle in Iraola's Premier League Debut

Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League afternoon in charge of Liverpool lasted barely five minutes before turning sour.

Newcastle, under their own new boss Matthias Jaissle, tore into the season at St James’ Park with the kind of direct, ruthless move that exposes any early‑season rust. One pass, one sprint, one finish – and Liverpool were behind.

Elanga strikes, Liverpool stunned

The damage came from Anthony Elanga. William Osula dropped off the Liverpool back line, took possession and slid a simple ball into space. From there, Elanga did the rest.

He burned past Milos Kerkez down the right, brushed the full-back aside and drove into the box. Alisson came across his goal, but Elanga whipped his shot low into the far corner, past the Brazilian’s reach and into a stunned away end.

Liverpool had actually started on the front foot. Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo both had early sights of goal, half-chances that hinted at control and composure. Instead, they were chasing.

Neville tears into Liverpool’s defending

On Sky Sports commentary, Gary Neville wasted no time in picking apart the goal, starting with Alisson’s positioning.

“Alisson might be a little close to that near post and it leaves a gaping hole for Elanga to find. That gap is far too big,” he said, as replays showed the ball nestling in the far corner.

For Neville, the problems began even earlier, with Liverpool’s centre-backs allowing Osula the time to dictate the move.

“You would expect Van Dijk and Jacquet to go with Osula but they let him drop in and turn,” he added. “They don’t push in. They are 15-20 yards deep of where they should be. You see Arsenal’s defenders do it to perfection.”

The move summed up Newcastle’s intent. “Newcastle's best form of defense is attack and it turns into a sprint between Kerkez and Elanga. Liverpool can't catch him and he has to find the finish and he does,” Neville said, underlining just how quickly Iraola’s side had been sliced open.

Iraola’s big call at the back

The scrutiny on Jeremy Jacquet was inevitable. Iraola had handed the new signing a full debut, preferring him to fellow recruit Ronald Araujo for this opener.

“It was a difficult call. Both of them played well in the last friendly,” Iraola explained before kick-off. “Jeremy is comfortable with and without the ball.

“Playing against Osula and Wissa, who are good players, will not be easy. We have Ronald ready to go if we need him.”

That early concession instantly threw that decision into the spotlight. Van Dijk and Jacquet dropped off, Osula turned, and Liverpool never recovered their shape before Elanga struck.

One game into the Iraola era, Liverpool’s attacking promise was clear. So, too, was the question that will follow them into the next few weeks: can this new-look defence catch up quickly enough to keep their season on track?