Andoni Iraola hails Liverpool 'fightback' after late Newcastle rescue

Newcastle made the perfect start at St James' Park when Anthony Elanga put the hosts ahead inside five minutes. Liverpool responded after the break, with Cody Gakpo bringing the visitors level.

Joe Willock then restored Newcastle's lead, but Liverpool refused to give up and were rewarded when Szoboszlai calmly converted from the spot in the ninth minute of added time.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was pleased with his side's determination to keep pushing until the final whistle.

"Because you score at the end you probably have a better taste," Iraola said. "Before the game, we wouldn't have signed this result probably. But it is true that I think it is a reward because we've never given up."

Iraola felt Liverpool deserved their late equaliser after creating enough pressure and chances to score earlier.

"We've put a lot of pressure against Newcastle and we had to wait until the end," he said. "I think we've done more than enough to score that goal."

Liverpool improved after half-time, according to Iraola, who admitted his team needed to be more decisive in the final third.

"In the first half we haven't finished the things," he said. "We've had a lot of balls on the edge of the box, inside the box, where we haven't finished the play."

He added: "In the second half we've been more decisive. We put a lot more pressure on, we create more set-plays, more crosses, more things inside the box. I think it's a reward."

Szoboszlai took responsibility for the decisive penalty despite Liverpool having several capable spot-kick takers available.

"We have not only Dom and Alexander Isak – we have more very good specialists," Iraola said, also mentioning Alexis Mac Allister and Gakpo.

"But I think Dom showed the level. It's an almost impossible penalty to stop."

Iraola also praised substitute Victor Munoz for the problems he caused Newcastle after coming on, insisting players from the bench will be important throughout the campaign.

Liverpool's defending, however, remained a concern. Both Newcastle goals came from quick transitions, with Iraola accepting his team could have dealt with the situations better.

"You don't want to concede transitions," he said. "We have been preparing during the week for transitions, but this is football and there is a reason why Newcastle are so good there."

On the second goal, Iraola felt Liverpool had enough players back to prevent Newcastle from scoring.

"We had the numbers to defend it better," he said. "We should compete for the first ball, probably even make a foul, be a little bit more aggressive against the ball carrier."

Iraola also backed Alexander Isak after the striker returned to his former home at St James' Park.

"He has tried everything, has given us good positions on the ball," Iraola said. "He has continued pushing on in the game, fighting, and I think it's a good step for Alex for being the first game."

The Liverpool manager stressed that the defensive problems could not simply be blamed on one player. He said the team must improve collectively when dealing with counter-attacks.

"Situations (are) just not because one person is playing there," Iraola said. "It's something that we have to correct between a lot of players."

Liverpool will look to claim their first win of the season when they host Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday.