Jaissle calls stoppage-time Liverpool penalty 'not good for football' after St James' Park draw

Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle launched a pointed attack on referee Stuart Attwell after Dominik Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty rescued a draw for Liverpool at St James’ Park, denying the hosts what would have been a valuable Premier League victory.

Liverpool substitute Victor Munoz was brought down by Lewis Hall’s challenge deep into stoppage time, and Szoboszlai converted the spot kick to level the match. Jaissle was unequivocal in his view that the decision was wrong. “For me, it was no penalty — it was a really soft one,” he said. “If you give that, we will see many, many penalties. I don’t think that Lewis can do anything else, he cannot just disappear on the field. If you give these penalties then you have to give a lot this season and I’m not sure if that’s good for football.”

Newcastle had looked set to hold on for three points despite a frustrating afternoon for on-loan Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, who was booed by the home crowd on his return to Tyneside. Jaissle praised forward Yoane Wissa for his display but acknowledged the striker could have put the game beyond doubt earlier. “It was an amazing performance — even if he could have killed the game,” the Newcastle boss said. “Their heads are a little down but we know we had many challenges, we’re in a huge transition phase at the moment.”

Jaissle also used the post-match briefing to signal that Newcastle’s summer business is not yet complete. “I hope so — today the lads were amazing, a young squad — but we have some needs we know internally and we keep that internally. You can count them on one hand.”

For Liverpool, the late equaliser provided a morale boost under new head coach Andoni Iraola. Szoboszlai described the atmosphere at St James’ Park as one of the most intense he has experienced. “More than 50,000 fans in the stadium against you — you can’t hear your own voice,” the Hungarian midfielder said. “That’s why I love football and that’s why I am doing it. We will never give up. I can guarantee you that.”

Iraola acknowledged that Isak had a difficult evening amid the hostile reception but praised the striker’s attitude throughout. “I think he expected a little bit of the atmosphere — it’s not a big surprise for him,” the Liverpool manager said. “He has tried everything. He has given us good positions on the ball, probably had a couple of situations to finish inside the box, but I value that he continued pushing and fighting and I think it was a good step for Alex.”