Maresca's seeing good things at Man City while PSG are seeing the ball in the net four times—one of these assessments is delusional and it isn't PSG's. • Barcola's hat trick was the kind of statement Liverpool needed, and he made it in the most efficient way possible: by actually scoring goals instead of talking about potential. • This story is already obsolete since you're reading it after the match has been played, which tells you everything about the news cycle's relationship with football reality. • Martinez opened his mouth when he should've kept his head down, and now United will punish him because they're desperate to punish someone other than themselves. • Henry was right—Martinez needs to look in the mirror before he looks at the board, because defenders who can't mark properly don't get to lecture management. Maresca's seeing good things at Man City while PSG are seeing the ball in the net four times—one of these assessments is delusional and it isn't PSG's. • Barcola's hat trick was the kind of statement Liverpool needed, and he made it in the most efficient way possible: by actually scoring goals instead of talking about potential. • This story is already obsolete since you're reading it after the match has been played, which tells you everything about the news cycle's relationship with football reality. • Martinez opened his mouth when he should've kept his head down, and now United will punish him because they're desperate to punish someone other than themselves. • Henry was right—Martinez needs to look in the mirror before he looks at the board, because defenders who can't mark properly don't get to lecture management.

EPL

Liverpool are gambling with full-backs: Just 1 accurate cross vs. Newcastle

By WAF News Desk August 24, 2026 11:15 pm Updated August 27, 2026 1:30 am 1 min read

Full coverage of this story is available from This Is Anfield (Liverpool) — see the link below.

WAF Context

6 sources

Liverpool drew 2-2 with Newcastle at St James' Park, with Dominik Szoboszlai converting a stoppage-time penalty. The match marked Andoni Iraola's first game as Liverpool manager. Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle disputed the penalty award, calling it soft. Analysis suggests Liverpool's full-backs struggled in attacking areas, managing just one accurate cross during the fixture.

What we know

The match ended 2-2 after Szoboszlai's 99th-minute penalty equaliser
Newcastle were twice led before the late penalty, which Jaissle contested
Liverpool full-backs had a difficult afternoon with minimal crossing accuracy

Why it matters

Liverpool's defensive vulnerability in open play and attacking inefficiency from full-backs raised early-season concerns. The reliance on a late penalty to avoid defeat suggests tactical or execution issues that require attention ahead of a demanding campaign.

Read Full Story at This Is Anfield (Liverpool)