A 99th-minute penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai salvaged a point for Liverpool in their 2-2 draw with Newcastle at St. James' Park on Sunday.
It could have been a lot worse for Andoni Iraola's side, who trailed for all but eight minutes of the game.
There are positives for the new Liverpool boss, perhaps most obviously his substitutes -- who he said "gave us energy" -- but there were also a host of players who must do better if Liverpool are to have a successful season.
Here, ESPN rates the Liverpool players after a topsy-turvy opening game.
Manager rating (out of 10)
Andoni Iraola, 5 -- It is so difficult to draw any conclusions after just one game of competitive football, but Liverpool fans will not have been pleased to see some of last year's failings on full display again today. Newcastle scored both of their goals from counter-attacks, with the first coming when both Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch wandered forward, a situation which was oddly similar to Antoine Semenyo's goal at Anfield on the first day of last season.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, 5 = average)
GK Alisson, 5 -- Got his positioning wrong for Anthony Elanga's opener, allowing the Swede to slide it beyond him. Could do nothing about Joe Willock's finish for the second, and saved well to deny William Osula in the first half. Did not have too much else to do.
RB Jeremie Frimpong, 4 -- Struggled against Harvey Barnes and was booked in the first half when the winger turned him. Ineffective going forward and killed at least one good break with a poor scuffed cross. Improved during preseason but this was a disappointing display.
CB Jérémy Jacquet, 6 -- Played some really neat passes into the midfield, something Liverpool were sorely lacking last season. Was very nearly caught out by Osula for the chance which Alisson saved, sparing his blushes.
CB Virgil van Dijk, 6 -- Displayed some of his usual ability to bump attackers off the ball, but was not as dominant as Liverpool fans might have hoped against the impressive Osula.
LB Milos Kerkez, 5 -- Was caught out by Elanga's pace for the opener, but almost every left back in the league would have been. Showed endeavour to get forward but fluffed a big chance to find Alexander Isak unmarked at the back post when the forward would have had a tap-in.
CM Ryan Gravenberch, 5 -- Showed a lot of his ability to drive with the ball in the first half but really should have shot in the buildup to Newcastle's opener -- his poor pass left Liverpool exposed, even if that wasn't entirely his fault. Faded as the game went on.
CM Dominik Szoboszlai, 6 -- His excellent pressure penalty aside, the Hungarian had a disappointing game. Newcastle were able to drive through the midfield time and time again, most notably when Szoboszlai went forward alongside Gravenberch for Newcastle's opener, when he really should have covered the space. His normally excellent free kick touch also deserted him.
AM Florian Wirtz, 5 -- Liverpool's most lively player in the first half, the German came closest to finding an equaliser when his effort was kept out well by Lukás Hornícek. But he really faded in the second half and was pretty much anonymous by the time he was substituted just after the hour mark.
RW Rio Ngumoha, 4 -- Anonymous from the start until his withdrawal alongside Wirtz. Showed plenty of willingness to get on the ball but Lewis Hall knew he would go outside onto his stronger foot almost every time. The few times he did come inside, his left foot let him down. On this evidence, he is not a right winger -- at least, not yet.
LW Cody Gakpo, 7 -- Liverpool's best attacker, particularly in the second half. His trademark curling shot over the bar can frustrate some, but he looked the most likely to find an equaliser -- and he did, with a terrific low strike from range. Faded slightly after that goal.
ST Alexander Isak, 5 -- Was booed relentlessly but also gave St. James' Park plenty of opportunities to cheer his misfortune. Showed a few useful touches when he pulled out to the right wing but struggled to get involved and skied his only decent chance well over the bar.
Substitutes (players introduced after 70 minutes: no rating)
CM Alexis Mac Allister (Wirtz 63'), 3 -- Who are you, and what have you done with Alexis Mac Allister? Liverpool fans will have been hoping to see a renewed No. 10 this season after a dismal 2025-26 campaign but, on this evidence, they're going to have to wait a little longer. His only notable involvements were a series of misplaced passes.
RW Víctor Muñoz (Ngumoha 63'), 7 -- Has made a very good case to start next week's game against Nottingham Forest. Perhaps he benefited from his relative freshness, but showed invention -- and raw pace -- that had been lacking from Ngumoha on Sunday. His driving runs through midfield and into the box, most notably for the penalty, really changed Liverpool's game, even if he still looks quite raw.
CB Ronald Araújo (Jacquet 70'), 6 -- Difficult to judge given how much Liverpool were pushing forward when he was introduced. Made one nice header to break up a Newcastle attack, but also hit a cross-field pass soaring out of play.
AM Lewis Koumas (Gravenberch 78'), N/R -- A surprise inclusion ahead of Harvey Elliott but did not look out of place.