Aug 23 (Reuters) - Liverpool snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday as Dominik Szoboszlai converted a stoppage-time penalty on a day when both sets of fans united to honour their shared hero Kevin Keegan, who died aged 75 in July.
As so often when the two sides met during Keegan's managerial career at Newcastle, there was a crucial late goal, with the Hungary international blasting his spot-kick into the top corner to steal a point that looked to have slipped away from the visitors.
Anthony Elanga had given Newcastle a dream start to the season, scoring in the fifth minute before Cody Gakpo levelled for Liverpool early in the second half.
Joe Willock came off the bench to score what looked likely to be the winner for Newcastle, but deep into stoppage time, Newcastle defender Lewis Hall barged into Liverpool substitute Victor Munoz, and Szoboszlai fired home.
Keegan was an important part of the history of both clubs, first with his goal-scoring exploits as a striker on Merseyside before his spells as a player and manager that brought Newcastle back to the top echelons of English football.
As a coach on Tyneside he was famed for his all-out attacking approach and hair-raising defending, and the VIP seats were filled with former Newcastle forwards who had come to pay tribute, as did Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish, who replaced Keegan when the latter left Liverpool for Hamburg in 1977.
Former England internationals and Newcastle forwards Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and Peter Beardsley were all present, as was mercurial Colombian Faustino Asprilla, sporting a bucket hat in the club’s colours.
Elanga quickly gave the former Newcastle heroes something to cheer about when he crowned an incisive counter-attack that ended up with him flashing a shot into the far corner.
Gakpo levelled 10minutes after the break, picking up the ball outside the box and advancing before drilling a shot into the same corner that Elanga chose for the opener, and Newcastle's defending for that goal bore more than a passing resemblance to some of Keegan's leakier rearguards.
Willock’s attacking industry was rewarded when he came off the bench and scored almost immediately to restore Newcastle’s lead with a curling, bouncing shot that should have been the winner, but for Hall's clumsy challenge on Munoz.
Many expected Alexander Isak, who was roundly booed and jeered on his return to Newcastle after forcing a move to Anfield almost a year ago, to take the spot kick for the Reds, but instead it was Szoboszlai who took control.
Despite being more grit than glitter, the game was a fitting tribute to the naturally dramatic Keegan, and the fans of both sides sang his name throughout as his former teams played their parts in a compelling spectacle worthy of his memory.
(Reporting by Philip O'ConnorEditing by Toby Davis)
