Szoboszlai's Late Penalty Earns Liverpool a Draw at Newcastle
Liverpool drew 2-2 away at Newcastle after Dominik Szoboszlai scored a late penalty in stoppage time.
Newcastle had been leading in the match before Szoboszlai's goal levelled the score. His penalty meant Liverpool avoided defeat and took a point from the game.
The draw came on a day when other top clubs were also in action. Manchester City won their match, and so did Brighton, meaning Liverpool's result put them under extra pressure in the title race.
The match also raised questions about individual performances. There was discussion about how Newcastle striker Alexander Isak had coped during the game, and about the biggest issue facing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, though details on Iraola's role in this specific report were limited.
There was also talk about whether a more direct style of play, described as 'Jaissle-ball,' could work for a team using that approach.
For Liverpool, the late penalty was a small piece of good news in what was otherwise a difficult afternoon, as they failed to win against a Newcastle side that had led for much of the game.
The result leaves Liverpool needing to reflect on their away form, while Newcastle will be disappointed not to hold on for a win after taking the lead.
Vocabulary5 words
- penalty
- a free kick given close to goal after a foul
- stoppage time
- extra minutes added at the end of a football match
- title race
- the competition between top teams to win the league
- striker
- a player whose main job is to score goals
- away form
- how well a team plays in games not at their home stadium
Quiz
Answer key
1. A late penalty from Szoboszlai 2. Manchester City and Brighton 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Liverpool drew 2-2 away at Newcastle after Dominik Szoboszlai scored a late penalty in _____ time.
Newcastle had been _____ in the match before Szoboszlai's goal levelled the score.
His penalty meant Liverpool avoided defeat and took a _____ from the game.
Manchester City won their match, and so did _____, meaning Liverpool's result put them under extra pressure.
There was discussion about how Newcastle striker Alexander _____ had coped during the game.
There was also talk about whether a more direct style of play, described as '_____-ball,' could work.
The late penalty was a small piece of good news in what was otherwise a difficult _____.
Newcastle will be disappointed not to hold on for a _____ after taking the lead.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think a late penalty can change a team's mood after a match?
- How important is it for a top club like Liverpool to avoid defeat, even with just a draw?
- What effect might other results in the league, like Manchester City's win, have on how a team feels about a draw?
- Do you think discussing individual players' performances, like a striker's, is useful after a match? Why or why not?