'Phenomenal' Wissa 'was everywhere' against Liverpoolpublished at 10:42 BST
10:42 BST
Media caption,
Yoane Wissa's debut season at Newcastle was one to forget.
However, just under a year on since his £55m arrival at St James' Park, the DR Congo international is showing glimpses of the form that he displayed at Brentford.
"He's a player who came in for a lot of criticism last season. He was thrown in at the deep end.
"Last season, he went away on international duty and picked up an injury and he never really recovered. It is a tough league when you have been out for so long."
Wissa was integral in Newcastle's build-up play against Liverpool and he created Joe Willock's goal that put the hosts 2-1 up.
"He was everywhere. For Willock's goal, what Wissa did in the middle of the park was brilliant. He left three red shirts floundering," added Anderson.
"Wissa was everything you wanted to see. We knew the type of player he was because we had seen it at Brentford.
"Hopefully, it's a sign of what's to come. If he can keep that up - scary."
I was at St James' Park on Sunday and when I regained my composure after the beautiful and poignant celebrations of the great Kevin Keegan's life, I quickly understood the devil-may-care approach that Matthias Jaissle's Newcastle United side brought to the party.
Liverpool were champions two years ago. They have spent many hundreds of millions of pounds since, on a squad which still looks threadbare, but on Sunday they were matched by a very young midfield duo delivered at a fraction of the cost.
Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Alexander Isak (£125m) were stifled by 20-year-old Lewis Miley, who cost nothing, and 18-year-old Sean Steur, who was signed for a measly initial £20m from Ajax. Putting that sort of youth up against world superstars would have been considered foolhardy until very recently, but the new coaches aren't bringing any fear with them into their new roles.
It is not just the newbies either, Everton's engine room under Davie Moyes had Premier League debutant Hayden Hackney (£24m from Middlesbrough) beside 19-year-old Harrison Armstrong, a Toffees academy graduate. They were still trusted to control the midfield and duly dispatched Crystal Palace.
This was always going to be a season of upheaval with all the managerial changes but it might be even more substantial than that. It could be the dawn of a complete shift in outlook.
Arsenal with their quality and experience might still see off the wannabe challengers in the end. Then again, weren't they riding the crest of this wave of organised chaos, utilising set-piece bedlam, as they won the title last season?
The big take: The league is always exciting but hasn't always given us enough tales of the unexpected, this season promises to be different. The newcomers appear to have a lack of fear and a love of chaos.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
The Magpies have submitted an offer worth 40m euros (£34.2m), excluding bonuses, for Lille and Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo, 21. (L'Equipe - in French), external
John S: Newcastle we're unrecognisable - solid, exciting, hungry, inspiring. What a change around. Well done.
Sandy: Once again, the manager tried to run the clock! The penalty incident would never have happened if he'd left the team as it was. And the added time would have run out.
John G: Good to see Jaissle has got them organised and playing with confidence. We defended well and Miley and Steur were both excellent in midfield. We scored two great goals, with Wissa and Elanga working hard and playing really well. I still feel we need more experience in midfield and a seasoned striker.
Paul: Positive and committed performance - strong at the back and threatening with our pace in attack. Elanga, Wissa, Hall and Thiaw were particularly impressive. We'll see where we are after 10 games.
Liverpool fans
Peter: Liverpool looked disjointed with no flow. The Wirtz role didn't work all last season and is clearly still not working now. Isak, once again, had no presence up front. A lot of work to do.
Mick: Lacked ideas to break down Newcastle's defence. Showed many of same issues from last season. Need a winger and a central defender.
Garrick: Statistics suggested Liverpool were the better team, but I'm not sure about that. Statistics mean nothing. It's all about putting the ball in the back of the net and, luckily for us, we got a penalty right at the death to go away with a point. Always a tough place to go, Newcastle, but the season has only just begun.
Victor: I think it's a good start under Iraola, but there's still plenty of work to be done, particularly in midfield and defence. We were far too exposed going forward, and that's why we need to find the right balance. If we can improve our defensive structure while maintaining our attacking threat, I think we'll have a very exciting team and a promising season.
Newcastle players - old and new - showing Jaissle grit and spiritpublished at 11:53 BST 24 August
11:53 BST 24 August
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Media caption,
There were early glimpses of just what Matthias Jaissle's side could be against Liverpool - the intensity, the balls in behind, the grit, spirit and the work-rate.
Few embodied those qualities quite like new arrival Amar Dedic, who only completed his £30m move from Benfica on Tuesday, but what was just as striking was the performances of one or two of last summer's signings following difficult first seasons on Tyneside.
It was Anthony Elanga who opened the scoring with a well-taken finish into the bottom corner, while Yoane Wissa, who set up substitute Joe Willock's second, is clearly relishing added responsibility under Jaissle.
It said it all that Wissa - a forward - won more duels (11) than any other Newcastle United player on Sunday.
"The manager expects me to be a leader and lead the group," the 29-year-old told Sky Sports. "He wants me to be winning balls, making sure everyone is going forward, going for the kill, and sometimes just being calm."
Jaissle saluted Wissa's display, even if he could not help but add he also had the chance to "kill the game" to make it 3-1.
This was Newcastle's Achilles heel last season.
No other side dropped more points (27) from winning positions in 2025-26 and predecessor Eddie Howe was the first to admit in May that "anything can happen" after he was asked if such a habit could seep into this campaign.
Yet the reaction of those Newcastle supporters who stayed behind to applaud after the full-time whistle on Sunday was telling.
"We were there for each other if something went wrong," Jaissle said of his players. "We acted like a unit. In such a short amount of time, this is a top starting point.
"The frustration was there as well, but these are the challenges we have now. With the pre-season and the transition phase, it is normal. Today, someone threw stones in the way - we need to take that out to be successful again."
'I wanted to win for Jaissle'published at 08:34 BST 24 August
08:34 BST 24 August
Image source, Getty Images
Yoanne Wissa spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after Sunday's draw against Liverpool: "This gives us lot of confidence. We showed we are ready to fight for everything. The main focus will be to not to lose many games and be ready for the league. It is going to be a difficult season but we are ready for that."
On Matthias Jaissle: "It has been a lot of work for him. We have had a lot of meetings to understand how he wants us to play. Today we showed that we all understand how he thinks about football and it was unlucky that we drew at the end. I wanted to win for him."
Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool: How the players ratedpublished at 20:07 BST 23 August
20:07 BST 23 August
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Newcastle starting XI:
Lukas Hornicek: Solid Premier League debut. Made a flying save to get down to keep out Florian Wirtz's effort in the first half and pushed away Alexander Isak's header after the break. Calm in possession. 7
Amar Dedic: First outing for the club just a few days after completing a £30m move from Benfica. Made a crucial intervention in build-up to goal to slide in and hook ball away as Ryan Gravenberch looked to pick out Cody Gakpo. 7
Malick Thiaw: Wore the captain's armband in Dan Burn's absence. Battled. Looked to pick out William Osula with ball over top and put Liverpool under pressure. 7
Sven Botman: Was rusty in pre-season, but a little more assured here. Made one big block to get in the way of countryman Cody Gakpo's shot, but among those who backed off for Dutchman's goal. 6
Lewis Hall: Left rocked after conceding stoppage-time penalty following a coming together with Victor Munoz. Had dealt well with Ngumoha and coolly took ball off Isak's toe inside box at one point. 6
Lewis Miley: Only one half of pre-season action after recovering from a broken leg, but already such an important player. One particular crossfield ball to send Dedic down the right had supporters standing to applaud. 7
Sean Steur: Hard to believe he is only 18. Positive in approach in his first Premier League appearance even if his passes did not always come off. Composed. 7
Anthony Elanga: An opening-day miss against Aston Villa last season proved a sliding doors moment, but took his chance today. Coolly picked out the bottom corner for opener. 7
Yoane Wissa: Clearly relishing added responsibility from Jaissle in the number 10 position. Aggressive, sharp. Carried ball superbly to set up Willock's goal. 8
Harvey Barnes: Got nod ahead of Bazoumana Toure to start. Won a free-kick in a dangerous position with an enterprising run, but not involved enough. 6
William Osula: Led breakaway in build-up to Newcastle's first goal and made a sensible decision on when to release Elanga with weighed pass. Battled on with knock before coming off. 7
Newcastle substitutes:
Joe Willock (on 55, Osula): What an impact. Still had a lot to do for goal, but took it well. 7
Jacob Ramsey (on 55, Steur): Brought added energy. 6
'You feared for them before, I don't fear for them now'published at 19:49 BST 23 August
19:49 BST 23 August
Image source, Getty Images
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after Newcastle's draw against Liverpool: "The overview from Newcastle's position is that there was a fear. They have lost so many big players and you think what's going to happen?
"You look at them here and there's plenty of energy. I see a real buy in from the players. There's young players who look like they're good enough and going to improve as well.
"I think Newcastle fans will go away and think they're gutted again but in reality I think there's far more positives to take than negatives.
"You can't help but feel sorry for Newcastle because they worked hard and they have stunning amounts of pace.
"You feared for them before this game, I don't fear for them now."
Newcastle 2-2: What Jaissle and Elanga saidpublished at 19:26 BST 23 August
19:26 BST 23 August
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Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle to BBC Match of the Day: "In the end, I am a bit disappointed. We were so close to getting the three points, for sure. But there is also some brightness, definitely, because the guys were doing an amazing job for over 90 minutes.
"We are a young squad and they really left their heart on the pitch and this is something we can build on."
On Liverpool's penalty: "If you give it, it's a really, really soft one and then you have to give many, many penalties throughout the game and throughout the season. I'm not a big fan of the decision.
"I'm proud, we are proud to see a unit on the pitch. The guys were trying to do it the intense way that we wanted to play. Front-footed, vertical in our approach. This, after such a short amount of time, I'm really happy.
"That is our philosophy, yes. It depends on the opponent but we have a clear idea of how we want to play football and today we saw quite a lot of that.
"I am enjoying it already. I saw the young lads fighting for everything. There was commitment. A good synergy with the fans. This is special, it's going to be a really cool season with big challenges as well. We're realistic but we will go there.
"Amazing. Pure happiness and brightness. I heard many things but I felt the goosebumps straight away. You get energy from the stands and you just want to deliver it on the pitch. This synergy will be something special."
Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Mixed emotions. It was a good performance. But disappointed to concede the way we did in the final seconds. To think the manager [Matthias Jaissle] has been here for just three weeks and we played like that out there, It's important we take the positives from this game and apply them in the next game."
On scoring at St James' Park: "Relief. Something I've wanted to do for a long time. I've been working hard for these moments, especially in the summer and after the World Cup. I wanted to work on my game and I took that opportunity. It was the first shot of the game. It was a moment I really wanted to take. The whole team played really well. If we can apply ourselves like that every single week, we are going to have a fantastic season.
On Jaissle: "Manager has been top since he has come in. The way he wants us to play, you can all see it on and off the ball. When we go, we really go for it. We could've finished off this game earlier as we created a lot of opportunities. But it's the first game. There are still 37 games left in the Premier League."
On playing under Jaissle: "It feels fun. Hopefully it looks fun for those watching. When I am on the pitch, I feel really good and that's the way I always want to feel. Thanks to the manager and his staff for instilling it in me and the rest of the team."
Did you know?
Newcastle United have dropped 29 points from winning positions in the Premier League since the start of last season; Wolfsburg (33) are the only team in Europe's big-five leagues to surrender more.
Newcastle United remain winless in each of their last 20 Premier League meetings with Liverpool (D6 L14) since a 2-0 win in December 2015.
Analysis: Signs of encouragement for Jaissle's sidepublished at 18:52 BST 23 August
18:52 BST 23 August
Gary Rose BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Many Newcastle players had their heads in their hands at the final whistle, having seen the chance to claim an early win against a rival for the top four positions lost.
While the late drama will be a bitter pill to swallow there were still plenty of signs of encouragement over what is to come under their new head coach.
It had been a summer of change for Newcastle with long-serving manager Eddie Howe having been replaced by German Jaissle, while a number of key players also departed.
It was their midfield that took the biggest hit as their former captain Bruno Guimaraes moved to defending champions Arsenal, while Sandro Tonali also made the move to London to join Tottenham.
Jaissle arrived with a reputation of playing high intensity, high pressing football and that was evident in the early stages as Liverpool struggled deal with the pace of the Newcastle attack.
A number of players also looked reborn with Elanga - who joined Newcastle last year - in particular impressive. He showed the sort of clinical touch for his goal that he was missing last season, while he enjoyed an encouraging link-up with William Osula.
Wissa also had an excellent game, although he will rue a late opportunity that would have put the game beyond Liverpool when he charged through on goal, but shot straight at Alisson.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Aston Villa" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Newcastle match", for example.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Liverpoolpublished at 11:06 BST 23 August
11:06 BST 23 August
I like everything I've seen from new Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle, but he's had the heart ripped out of his team with Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes leaving.
They were two absolute monsters in midfield, who were horrible to play against, but they have gone - and so has the influence of Anthony Gordon and the experience of Kieran Trippier.
It is sad to see. That's not to say Newcastle can't do well now, but I think their fans are realistic about this season and how it will go.
This will be a fascinating game because Liverpool are still adapting to life under Andoni Iraola and have struggled defensively in pre-season. Hopefully they can run for more than half an hour now, too.
I don't think they will have any problems up front, however.
Alexander Isak will get quite a reception - and not in a good way - from the home crowd, but I do think he will shine for Liverpool this year and that starts on Sunday.
'The superstar of our group was our manager' - ex-players and staff in emotional return for Keegan tributespublished at 15:27 BST 22 August
15:27 BST 22 August
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Kevin Keegan may have been fighting stage four cancer at the time, but the Newcastle United legend vowed there "will be a day when I'll come back" to St James' Park.
It is rather poignant that he did not ultimately return.
However, those inside the stadium will celebrate the 75-year-old's legacy on Sunday when Newcastle face Liverpool, another of his former clubs.
It promises to be an emotional day for those former staff and players who have been invited back, including Warren Barton, who is flying in especially from the United States.
"All of us will have a tear in our eye," the ex-Newcastle defender said. "Because, like when Sir Bobby [Robson] went, you just lose a little bit, but you never forget."
Understandably so.
Keegan took Newcastle from the brink of relegation to the third tier to the cusp of winning the Premier League just a few years later.
This charismatic figure encouraged the city to dream when he returned to Newcastle as manager in 1992 following his previous spell as a player.
Former first-team coach Derek Fazackerley knows that better than most.
"He was never happy with mediocrity or just accepting what we were," he said of the two-time Ballon d'Or winner.
"He was always trying to drive it forward because he was used to playing at the top and knew what it needed to sustain that."
Those involved still look back on that period as one of the happiest of their lives, on and off the field.
As much as ex-physio Derek Wright was "quite emotional" when he heard Keegan had died, a number of amusing memories also came flooding back, such as the day he beat Fazackerley in a race at the training ground.
"Kevin must have had a bet on me and won some money because he then said: 'Right, come on, I'll give you a piggyback around the field,'" he said.
"But he ended up in hospital for a few days after carrying me on his back. I think he prolapsed a disc.
"It wasn't very nice for him but it's times like that where you think back: 'Oh my god – did that really happen?' He was just great. Unique, really."
For ex-midfielder Lee Clark, too, there was pride as much as sadness when he witnessed the huge number of flowers and kits left outside St James' Park last month.
The Hartlepool manager will also be there on Sunday, wearing his retro Newcastle shirt with Keegan's name and number seven on the back.
"He gave the club its belief back," he said. "He gave the city its identity back. The people from Newcastle will be forever indebted.
"People say to us lads now we were good in never turning down an autograph or a photograph, but we learned from the best because, let's get it right, the superstar of our group was our manager."
Hit play below to hear Chris Heron of Wor Flags tell BBC Radio Newcastle of the plans for a tribute to Keegan at St James' Park before the Liverpool match...
Newcastle United v Liverpool: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:28 BST 22 August
13:28 BST 22 August
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
St James' Park plays host to the meeting of two new managers this weekend as one of the highest scoring fixtures in Premier League history resumes on Tyneside.
Andoni Iraola ended three seasons at Bournemouth with a bang after leading the Cherries to European football for the first time and his arrival at Liverpool earlier this summer was well received following the decline under predecessor Arne Slot.
Following their title win with 84 points under Slot in 2024-25, Liverpool slipped to sixth last season after earning just 60. It was the biggest drop-off in terms of the overall points tally of any Premier League team when comparing the past two campaigns.
The arrival of Iraola, however, has been tempered by fan frustration surrounding Liverpool's limited transfer activity following the departure of Mohamed Salah.
Salah scored 257 goals and provided 120 assists in 442 games for the club but Liverpool have yet to bring in a new right winger, while the squad also looks light in central midfield where Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister are the only senior options.
Salah's absence and the lack of a direct replacement is likely to result in an increased focus on Alexander Isak. The £125m signing struggled amid injury problems after swapping St James' Park for Anfield in a protracted move last summer.
He returns to his former club for the first time on Sunday afternoon having scored just four goals in 22 games for Liverpool so far.
Newcastle kick off proceedings without Eddie Howe for the first time in five years, with replacement Matthias Jaissle taking charge of a Premier League side for the first time in his career.
Jaissle has won his opening game in charge at his three previous clubs and his Al-Ahli side were unbeaten at home in the Saudi Pro League last season.
The former Salzburg boss has midfield woes of his own to contend with following the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, while Anthony Gordon has also been sold to Barcelona.
Newcastle have made seven new signings but a focus on youth means that a side that finished 12th last season is very much in transition. Jaissle's immediate task may be to simply steady the ship.
The Magpies have both scored (14) and conceded (13) in each of their last seven Premier League home games, while they have failed to defeat the Reds in the past 19 league meetings (D5, L14).
Liverpool had struggles of their own on the road last season, losing nine matches, but they have opened with a victory in each of the past 13 seasons.
Whoever the winner, one thing that this Premier League fixture usually promises is goals. There have been 198 scored so far – two more would make it just the third fixture in the competition's history to reach a double century.
