Iraola explains why Szoboszlai, not Isak, took Liverpool’s late Newcastle penalty
Andoni Iraola has explained why Dominik Szoboszlai took Liverpool’s stoppage-time penalty instead of Alexander Isak in the dramatic 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.
Andoni Iraola has explained the decision to hand Liverpool’s late penalty against Newcastle United to Dominik Szoboszlai rather than Alexander Isak, insisting the Reds have several reliable options from the spot.
Szoboszlai kept his composure to convert in the ninth minute of stoppage time and rescue a 2-2 draw for Liverpool at St James’ Park after Newcastle had twice taken the lead.
Isak, making his first return to his former club since completing his move to Liverpool, had endured a difficult afternoon in front of a hostile home crowd, making the decision to overlook him for the penalty particularly notable.
Iraola, however, played down any suggestion that there was a fixed hierarchy behind the decision, pointing instead to the quality available within his squad.
The Liverpool boss identified Szoboszlai, Isak, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo as capable penalty-takers, while praising the Hungarian for taking responsibility when the pressure was at its highest.
The spot-kick, awarded after Lewis Hall brought down substitute Vitor Muñoz, proved enough to extend Liverpool’s unbeaten opening-day run to 14 Premier League seasons.
For Isak, the night was more about enduring a hostile reception and finding his feet in a new Liverpool attack than making an immediate impact, with Iraola insisting the striker continued to work hard despite limited clear chances.
