Liverpool's New Era Begins with Stinging Loss to Newcastle
New era, same old jeopardy for Liverpool.
Andoni Iraola’s first competitive game in charge could hardly have started worse as Liverpool were sliced open early at St James’ Park, with Anthony Elanga punishing them and Gary Neville tearing into the defending on live TV.
Elanga strikes, Liverpool stunned
Both dugouts were new. Iraola for Liverpool, Matthias Jaissle for Newcastle. Both managers wanted a statement in their Premier League opener. Newcastle delivered it first.
Liverpool had actually begun on the front foot. Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo both found themselves with early sights of goal, half-chances that hinted at control and composure. Then one sharp move flipped the whole mood.
William Osula dropped off the front line, found space, and slid a perfectly weighted pass in behind. Elanga exploded onto it. The Swedish winger burned past Milos Kerkez, who simply couldn’t live with the pace, and drove his finish low into the far corner beyond Alisson.
Newcastle’s season was up and running. Liverpool’s new era suddenly looked fragile.
Neville lays into Liverpool’s back line
On Sky Sports commentary, Gary Neville didn’t spare the Liverpool defence.
“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, questioning the goalkeeper’s positioning as the ball flew past him.
For Neville, the problems started even earlier in the move. He pointed straight at Van Dijk and new signing Jeremy Jacquet for allowing Osula the time and room to turn.
“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.”
One pass, one run, one finish. But in Neville’s eyes, three Liverpool players could have done more.
“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,” he said, summing up the ruthlessness of the move.
Iraola’s big call at centre-back
Jacquet’s inclusion was one of the headline calls before kick-off. Iraola chose the Frenchman ahead of fellow new signing Ronald Araujo, a decision he knew would be scrutinised the moment anything went wrong at the back.
“It was a difficult call. Both of them played well in the last friendly,” Iraola explained before the game. “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.”
Within minutes, that choice was under the microscope. Jacquet and Van Dijk sat off, Osula turned, and Elanga did the rest.
Liverpool had come to St James’ Park looking to launch a new project with authority. Instead, they were reminded in brutal fashion that in this league, one lapse, one line too deep, and a season’s grand plan can be exposed in a single sprint.
