Wissa stars, Dedic debut & majestic Miley - Player ratings from Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool

A frustrating end to a brilliant game at St James' Park, as Matthias Jaissle's Mags conceded a last-minute penalty to draw 2-2 with Liverpool.

Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock both scored on a day that featured visceral boos for Alexander Isak, a stunning tribute for Kevin Keegan and some superb individual displays at the start of this new era.

Here are our marks out of 10 and comments on each player involved.

Starting 11

Hornicek (7.5) - Made a vital low save to deny Wirtz in the first half. Looked a safe pair of hands, and his kicking was impressive, launching several long but accurate balls down to our forward line.

Dedic (7.5) - A big effort and encouraging display on his Premier League debut. Dived in a little early on, but lasted the game so well, tried to drive us on and made some vital tackles.

Thiaw (8) - Read the play well, made a few vital blocks and looked physically strong, in the air and on the ground. A classy display from our stand-in captain in Dan Burn's absence.

Botman (8) - Much, much better after a bad pre-season. Defended his box very well and was dominant in the air. He needed to step up following an injury to Burn and did exactly that. 

Hall (7) - Superb against Ngumoha for so much of the game, staying tight to his man and breaking forward with the ball so well. However, that late error leading to the penalty sees his mark go down by one.

Steur (6.5) - Clearly a classy player, but his passing range was a little off early on, as he gave the ball away three or four times. Settled down and worked, although could've done more to close down Gakpo's strike to make it 1-1.

Miley (8.5) - A top-class display, made all the more impressive considering he'd only played 45 minutes of pre-season since breaking his leg in May. Won so many duels, read the play effortlessly, played some incisive passes into the final third and rarely gave the ball away. Effortlessly efficient, dominant and controlled. 

Elanga (8) - A livewire down the right all game. Took his goal well and showed freakish pace to burst past Kerkez before slotting home. Clear signs of his confidence growing, improved link play and worked hard at both ends.

Wissa (9*) - The term ‘like a new signing’ gets overused, but he looked like EVERYTHING he wasn’t last season. Razor sharp, on and off the ball, super fit, energetic and willing to do the dirty work, too. Drove forward with the ball, linked play, produced a superb assist for Willock's goal and showed great movement as he moved into that No.9 role late on. Man of the match!

Barnes (6) - Worked hard defensively to support Hall and join the press Jaissle insists on, but it didn't quite happen for him in the final third. 

Osula (7) - Produced a perfectly weighted pass for Elanga's goal and was a livewire in the early stages. Took a knock in the second half and was forced off, seeing Willock come on and Wissa move into the No.9 role.

Substitutes 

Willock (8) - A superb cameo. A beauty of a finish to curl home at the Gallowgate, and almost an assist after his dinked pass put Wissa clean through.

Ramsey (6.5) - Got stuck in and tried to drive us forward. Took a booking for a cynical foul.

Murphy (6) - One teasing ball across the box that was crying out to be tapped in. Tried to protect our lead, but can be weak in the challenge. 

Bamba (N/A) - A solid cameo, featuring a few tidy passes and one vital challenge. 

Schar (N/A) - Came on for the final few minutes, replacing Wissa as Jaissle switched to a back five.