Newcastle United and Liverpool played out a 2-2 draw at St James' Park on the opening weekend of the season, a match marked by an emotional pre-kick-off tribute to the late Kevin Keegan, a legendary figure for both clubs. The game itself was entertaining if imperfect, with Anthony Elanga breaking a long goal drought for Newcastle within minutes of kick-off, while a stoppage-time Liverpool penalty, converted by Dominik Szoboszlai after Victor Muñoz was fouled by Lewis Hall, salvaged a point for the visitors.

Keegan, who died recently, was being remembered for his impact at both clubs: he won seven trophies in six years as a player at Liverpool, including three league titles and the European Cup, and later, across three spells at Newcastle, helped save the club from relegation to the Second Division in 1992 as manager. On the pitch, new managers Andoni Iraola and Matthias Jaissle both saw promising and worrying signs from their sides, with Cody Gakpo equalising for Liverpool after half-time, but Newcastle's shaky full-backs and Liverpool's £241m Wirtz-Isak partnership both showing room for improvement, while Isak received a hostile reception from the home crowd.