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Lukas Hornicek: Assured Premier League bow. Smart low stop to deny Florian Wirtz before half-time and a strong hand to Alexander Isak’s header after the interval. Confident on the ball. Rating: 7
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Amar Dedic: Debuted days after a £30m switch from Benfica. Key sliding interception in the lead-up to the goal, cutting out Ryan Gravenberch’s pass intended for Cody Gakpo. Rating: 7
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Malick Thiaw: Captained the side with Dan Burn out. Stood up to the fight, looked to release William Osula over the top, and kept Liverpool honest. Rating: 7
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Sven Botman: Looked rusty in pre-season but steadier here. Produced a vital block to thwart Gakpo, though retreated as the Dutchman netted later. Rating: 6
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Lewis Hall: Conceded a stoppage-time penalty after a tangle with Victor Munoz. Otherwise handled Ngumoha well and nicked the ball off Isak in the area with composure. Rating: 6
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Lewis Miley: Limited pre-season minutes after a broken leg, yet already influential. One raking diagonal to spring Dedic drew warm applause. Rating: 7
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Sean Steur: Hard to believe he’s just 18. Positive on his Premier League debut—ambitious passing even when it didn’t always land—kept his cool. Rating: 7
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Anthony Elanga: Put last season’s opening-day miss behind him by burying the first today, guiding a precise finish into the bottom corner. Rating: 7
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Yoane Wissa: Embracing the No 10 role under Jaissle. Tenacious and incisive, drove forward brilliantly to lay on Willock’s strike. Rating: 8
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Harvey Barnes: Preferred to Bazoumana Toure. Won a dangerous free-kick with a bold run but drifted in and out of the game. Rating: 6
- William Osula: Sparked the break for Newcastle’s opener and timed the release to Elanga perfectly. Soldiered on after a knock before being replaced. Rating: 7
Subs:
- Joe Willock (55, Osula): Immediate impact; still had plenty to do for his goal and finished with authority. Rating: 7
- Jacob Ramsey (55, Steur): Injected extra energy. Rating: 6
- Aladji Bamba (75, Miley): Rating: 6
- Jacob Murphy (75, Elanga): Rating: 6
- Fabian Schar (90+5, Wissa): Late cameo
Subs not used: Jaouen, Shahar, Toure, Woltemade