Leeds United, who won the Sky Bet Championship last season to return to the Premier League, introduced themselves with a bang on the opening day but were beaten 4-3 by Premier League champions, Liverpool, in a thrilling encounter at Anfield.
Liverpool went in front three times but were pegged back by a ruthless and fearless Leeds United side, who seem to be up to the challenge at an elite level. However, poor defending cost them as another late Mohamed Salah penalty – to seal his hat-trick – handed the hosts maximum points.
Salah also scored his first goal on the night from the penalty spot after Leeds new-boy Robert Koch handled the ball in the area, but Jack Harrison restored parity with an exquisite goal in the 12th minute.
Virgil van Dijk then thumped home a header in the 20th minute but Leeds never let their heads down as Patrick Bamford, to take advantage of a Van Dijk, slipped to level the game once again (30).
Related: Match Report: Arsenal’s new recruits dazzle on the opening day as Fulham loses at home 0-3
Watch the match highlights below
Salah put Liverpool ahead again two minutes later with a spectacular strike (32) as Liverpool look to take control, yet, Mateusz Klich equalised for the third time (66) to show Leeds resolve as they seem not to be backing down from the challenge.
As the game looked to be drawing to a quiet conclusion, Liverpool were awarded the second penalty of the game when Leeds’ new signing Rodrigo clumsily fouled Fabinho inside the box and Salah fired home from the spot to seal the victory.
Related: Match Report: Arsenal’s new recruits dazzle on the opening day as Fulham loses at home 0-3
Stats and facts from the match (Backed by Opta)
- Liverpool extended their unbeaten home league run to 60 games (W49 D11) – only the third ever run of 60+ unbeaten home games by a side in English top-flight history, after Chelsea’s run of 86 ending in October 2008 and Liverpool’s run of 63 ending in December 1980.
- This was only the second ever Premier League game played on the opening matchday of a season to see five goals scored before half-time, after Man Utd 5-1 Fulham in August 2006 (4-1 at half-time).
- Liverpool have conceded 3+ goals in back-to-back home league games for the first time since September 1982.
- Van Dijk has made two errors leading directly to a goal in his last four Premier League games, more than he registered in his first 154 appearances in the competition (one).
- Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klich were the first players to score on their Premier League debut for Leeds United since Nick Barmby in August 2002 against Manchester City, and the first to do so in an away game since Alan Smith in November 1998 – which was also at Anfield against Liverpool.
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