Liverpool's Struggles Against Newcastle: Elanga's Impact
Liverpool’s new era under Andoni Iraola lasted barely a few minutes before the first alarm bells rang at St James’ Park.
Newcastle, also stepping into a fresh chapter with Matthias Jaissle in the dugout, struck first and struck hard. One direct move, one devastating run, and Anthony Elanga had the home side’s season up and running.
Elanga rips Liverpool open
Liverpool had actually started on the front foot. Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo both found early sights of goal, half-chances that hinted at control and composure. Then Newcastle went straight for the throat.
William Osula dropped off the front line, took the ball, and turned. No one went with him. No one got tight. The pass was simple but ruthless, sliding Elanga into space down the flank.
The Swedish winger exploded away from Milos Kerkez, burning past the full-back and driving into the box. One touch to set himself, another to whip the ball across Alisson and into the far corner. Clinical. Brutal. And for Liverpool, entirely avoidable.
Neville tears into Liverpool’s back line
On Sky Sports commentary, Gary Neville didn’t hold back. His first target was Alisson.
“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 inside the far post.
Neville then zoomed out to the bigger issue: the shape and aggression of Liverpool’s new-look defence.
“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.”
The build-up, though, is what really bothered him. Osula had too much room to dictate the move, with Van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet both retreating instead of engaging.
“You would expect Van Dijk and Jacquet to go with Osula but they let him drop in and turn,” Neville 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.”
For Iraola, who wants an aggressive, front-foot side, that kind of passivity will sting more than the goal itself.
Iraola’s big call at centre-back
The scrutiny on Jacquet was always coming. Iraola had made a bold decision before kick-off, starting the new signing ahead of fellow arrival Ronald Araujo at the heart of defence.
“It was a difficult call. Both of them played well in the last friendly,” the Liverpool manager said 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.”
That faith was tested almost immediately. Osula found pockets, Elanga found space, and Newcastle found a lead that exposed Liverpool’s uncertainty in the most direct way possible.
The opening exchanges showed promise in flashes for the visitors, but one lapse, one straight ball, and Iraola’s first Premier League afternoon was already fighting a familiar Liverpool problem: can this reshaped defence stand up when the running starts?
