Liverpool, under new boss Andoni Iraola, opened the season with a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park. Dominik Szoboszlai rescued a point with a 99th-minute penalty.
The result has already raised questions about Liverpool’s ability to challenge for silverware. The Reds showed attacking quality, but their defensive structure looked vulnerable.
For Liverpool title credentials, the opening weekend offered more questions than answers.
Sports News Blitz’s Johnny Jones examines the main talking points from Liverpool’s season opener on Sunday, August 23.
Time for £100 million men to step up
Liverpool broke their transfer record twice during last summer’s transfer window. They signed Florian Wirtz for £116.5 million and Alexander Isak for £125 million.
Neither player has yet delivered consistently at the level their fees suggest.
Isak missed much of pre-season before joining Liverpool. He had refused to train with Newcastle while pushing for his move.
The striker also spent a large part of last season recovering from a broken leg. That disrupted his preparation and match fitness.
However, Isak struggled badly against his former club on Sunday. Newcastle’s defenders kept him quiet, while goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek faced little serious pressure from the forward.
Liverpool also failed to provide Isak with enough service.
Wirtz was expected to create those opportunities. The German arrived to replace some of the creativity Liverpool lost when Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid.
His Premier League performances, however, have yet to match his best displays for Bayer Leverkusen.
Wirtz recorded only three league assists last season. He also struggled at times with the physical demands of English football.
Iraola replaced him in the 63rd minute against Newcastle. The manager changed to a more balanced midfield after Wirtz left the pitch.
This season could prove crucial for Wirtz. Liverpool need their record signing to become a consistent creative force.
‘All guns blazing’ midfield causing problems
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Wirtz’s role could be affecting the balance of the midfield.
The problem became clear at St James’ Park. Liverpool started with Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai in the deeper roles, while Wirtz played as the No.10.
All three players offer strong attacking qualities. However, the midfield lacked a natural defensive presence.
That weakness helped Newcastle launch dangerous counter-attacks.
Liverpool’s two conceded goals both followed moments when the midfield failed to provide enough protection. Gravenberch lost possession in a dangerous area before both attacks developed.
Szoboszlai also pushed forward alongside Gravenberch. That movement left space behind them for Newcastle to exploit.
Yoane Wissa took advantage of those gaps. Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock also helped Newcastle move through Liverpool’s midfield.
The setup looked too open for a team with ambitions of winning the Premier League and Champions League.
Liverpool’s title-winning midfield in 2024/25 offered a better balance. Gravenberch played as the holding midfielder, while Szoboszlai operated further forward and still contributed defensively.
Wirtz does not naturally provide the same defensive work.
Iraola must therefore find a way to maximise Wirtz’s creativity without exposing the defence.
One possible solution could involve moving Szoboszlai to right-back. The Hungarian has already performed well in that position.
That change could allow him to move into midfield during possession. Gravenberch could then partner Alexis Mac Allister or Trey Nyoni in the deeper areas.
Nyoni could offer another interesting option. His ability to play line-breaking passes from deep would help Liverpool progress the ball without leaving the midfield exposed.
The youngster also impressed during pre-season. Reports have suggested that former Liverpool manager Arne Slot considered starting him ahead of Mac Allister towards the end of last season.
Deadline day looming
Liverpool still have time to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes.
If Iraola wants to keep Wirtz in the starting XI without weakening the midfield, a natural No.6 could provide extra protection.
However, the Liverpool manager has already indicated that he expects the team to defend collectively. That stance makes a late midfield signing less likely.
Liverpool’s current transfer focus appears to be on the wings.
The club is reportedly interested in Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain and Yankuba Minteh of Brighton. PSG could demand more than £100 million for Barcola.
Carragher has questioned that approach. Liverpool conceded 53 league goals last season, so defensive improvement remains a major priority.
Adding more attacking talent could improve Liverpool’s ability to score. However, Iraola must also ensure his system does not leave the defence exposed.
The 2-2 draw with Newcastle highlighted that challenge.
Liverpool showed enough attacking quality to rescue a difficult match. Yet the defensive problems could become more damaging against stronger opponents.
For Liverpool title credentials to remain convincing, the team must improve its balance.
Iraola has inherited a talented squad with plenty of attacking options. His biggest task may be finding the right structure to support those players.
The Newcastle draw should not define Liverpool’s season. However, it has provided an early warning.
If the Reds can improve their defensive organisation while getting more from Wirtz and Isak, their title hopes can recover quickly.
If those issues continue, questions about Liverpool’s ability to challenge for major trophies will only become louder.
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