ReactionIn full: Andoni Iraola's press conference after Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai's penalty in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time ensured the Reds would not leave St. James' Park on Sunday empty-handed.

The hosts had established a 1-0 lead inside five minutes through Anthony Elanga, a goal that was equalised by Cody Gakpo after half-time.

Joe Willock quickly restored the Magpies' advantage but the points would be shared when Szoboszlai converted a spot-kick right at the end.

Read on to see what Iraola had to say in his post-match press conference.

On Liverpool fighting until the end...

I think because you score at the end you probably have a better taste. Before the game, we wouldn't have signed this result probably. But it is true that I think it is a reward because I think we've never given up, I think we've put a lot of pressure against Newcastle and we had to wait until the end. But I think we've done more than enough to score that goal. And I think if we could have scored a little bit earlier, probably the run of the game was for us.

On the performance...

I think it's difficult because they told me probably the stats are for us in terms of we've created more and [had] better chances and this. But it's true that they can say, 'OK, we were winning, so we didn't need to push, we were defending our result.' I've liked a lot of things about the team in terms of putting pressure [on]. I think [in] the first half we haven't finished the things – we've had a lot of balls on the edge of the box, inside the box, where we haven't finished the play, we haven't shot. Actually, they punished us in the first goal because we don't finish it and it's a clear chance. I think [in the] second half we've been more decisive – I think [in] the goal from Cody but also we put a lot more pressure [on], we create more set-plays, more crosses, more things inside the box. I think it's a reward. It's not a lot, one point, but at least it's something that is deserved.

On Szoboszlai taking the penalty...

I think we have not only Dom and Alexander [Isak] – we have more very good specialists. Alexis [Mac Allister] also was on the pitch and he's a very good penalty-taker, Cody – we have a lot. But I think Dom showed the level. It's an almost impossible penalty to stop. I was happy obviously because at the end we recovered one point. I also think there is a clearer penalty before the Victor [Munoz] one to Victor again, but I think the referee whistles just before, so they cannot give it to you, but I think it was even more clear than the second one. I'm happy also for Victor because he has created problems to his opposition and I think these players from the bench that can alter games are going to be important for us.

• Read our match report from St. James' Park

On the manner of the two goals Liverpool conceded...

It's not a big surprise [when] you face Newcastle, one of the fastest top lines in the league probably in terms of speed I think. There are different reasons why we conceded both goals, even though both are transitions. The first one I think we should just finish the play. I think we created a great chance. I think it's a four-v-three, we are on the edge of the box and it's a clear situation to shoot. We decide not to shoot, we don't finish it properly and then you have to give credit to Elanga, who wins the race. Second one, I think we had the numbers to defend it better. It's not like they caught us by surprise. First one, you can argue with this [but] second one we had numbers, but we don't defend it properly. We should compete for the first ball, probably even make a foul, be a little bit more aggressive against the ball carrier because we had numbers to defend it.

You don't want to concede transitions. We have been preparing during the week for transitions, but this is football and there is a reason why Newcastle are so good there. It's a shame for us because I think we've controlled quite well over all the game and we haven't conceded too much. You always are going to concede, playing against Newcastle here, but they've been also very, very good. When we've had these open spaces, you have to give credit to them also.

On Isak's return to St. James' Park...

I think he expected a little bit the atmosphere, I don't think [it] has been a big surprise for him. I think he has tried everything, has given us good positions on the ball. [He] probably has had a couple of situations to finish inside the box, but probably not the clearest that he wanted or we wanted, but I value that. He has continued pushing on in the game, fighting, and I think it's a good step for Alex for being the first game.

On how he can prevent the kind of goals Liverpool conceded...

I think it's just not personnel. I understand, you are telling me basically that Ryan Gravenberch is the six and he is on the edge of the box, but if he shoots and he scores we are saying what a play from Ryan Gravenberch. I also don't want to take this from his game, but we have to adapt as a team to these situations and we have to know that these situations can happen. I think the second goal probably we did better in terms of having the numbers to defend, we don't make the foul, go to the first challenge, probably reduce the distance with the ball carrier, so it's an incredible goal. Situations [are] just not because one person is playing there, [it] is something that we have to correct between a lot of players.