Yoane Wissa’s name has legitimately been raised in debates regarding who Newcastle United’s worst No 9 of the Premier League era is.That is how awful the 29-year-old’s debut campaign at St James’ Park was. Injuries, fitness issues and club-vs-country priorities conspired to deliver one Premier League goal and just four top-flight starts — a paltry return for a striker Newcastle had spent £55million ($75m) on last September.But if Eddie Howe never saw anything like the best of the forward in a black-and-white-striped shirt, then his successor, Matthias Jaissle, looks to have inherited an attacker revitalised.Wissa — redeployed as a No 10 before moving into the striker role — was outstanding on Sunday. Newcastle may have been denied a Premier League debut victory for Jaissle in the ninth minute of added time, but there was so much to be encouraged about during the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.The most heartening performance of all came from Wissa, who was integral to just about everything positive Newcastle did.Wissa’s crowning moment came in the 57th minute when, less than 120 seconds after Cody Gakpo had equalised, the forward picked up the ball midway inside his own half, powered through the middle of the pitch beyond Liverpool players, before laying the ball to his left for Joe Willock to curl Newcastle back in front.It was a genuine game-changing intervention and represented quite the turnaround for a player who started one of the last 22 games in all competitions under Howe.The medial-ligament injury Wissa suffered in September 2025 sidelined the forward until December — a return date he later admitted was premature, especially given his (largely self-inflicted) lack of pre-season preparations. The base fitness was simply never there throughout 2025-26 and, frustratingly for Newcastle but very much to DR Congo’s benefit, Wissa only looked physically ready to perform come the World Cup.There have been dark moments for Wissa, who has doubted himself and his own physical capacity.“It’s been very difficult for me, but everything like that is in the past,” Wissa said. “I feel good. It was very tough, honestly: physically, mentally. It is only the World Cup that really helped me to change my mood and trust myself and my body.”Ironically, the only time Wissa has actually contested more duels (18) — and won more duels (11) — than he did against Liverpool in a Premier League match came against Newcastle for Brentford in September 2023 (13 and 20 respectively). Last season, Wissa never looked like winning physical contests or driving upfield with possession, yet since regaining his fitness in North America he looks revitalised.