LIVERPOOL CAPTURES WILD PREMIER OPENER OVER LEEDS

Adopting his trademark crouching position in the technical area, Marcelo Bielsa closely studied the mayhem unfolding in front of him on the Anfield pitch.

Bielsa’s first English Premier League game as a manager was barely a half-hour old and already there’d been five goals, countless chances and furious, end-to-end drama.

Back in the top division after a 16-year absence, Leeds is certainly going to be a fun watch under the Argentine coaching great this season.

Bielsa’s team went toeto-toe with Liverpool in the first match of the champion’s title defense and was denied a point only after conceding a late penalty, converted by Mohamed Salah to complete his hat trick and a wild 4-3 win for the hosts.

“It was eventful,” Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk said with a smile, summing up a chaotic match.

“They are going to give trouble to many teams in the league.”

Leeds didn’t take a step back with its intense pressing style, coming from behind three times at an empty Anfield after initially going behind to Salah’s first penalty of the game in the fourth minute.

Salah was given the chance to win the match in the 88th minute after a foul by Leeds’ high-profile new signing, Spain striker Rodrigo,

and the Egypt forward didn’t waste it.

Women’s soccer

Alex Morgan once famously celebrated a goal against England by pretending to sip a cup of tea. Now she’ll get to try out the English way of life for real. “Shall we get the teabags in?” read a post on the official Twitter account of the England Women’s team after Tottenham announced the signing of the United States striker on a one-season deal.

MLS

Gyasi Zardes scored in the 88th minute to help the Eastern Conference-leading Columbus Crew (7-1-3) tie the host Chicago Fire (2-6-3) 2-2.

Aaron Long and Daniel Royer scored and the visiting New York Red Bulls (45-2) beat D.C. United (2-5-4) 2-0 to snap a four-match winless streak and give interim coach Bradley Carnell his first victory.

Anthony Fontana had his first multi-goal game in MLS, including the winner in stoppage time, and host Philadelphia (6-2-3) beat New England (3-3-5), 2-1.

Cycling

Soren Kragh Andersen broke clear in a fast-changing finish on the roads of Lyon to win Stage 14 of the Tour de France.

Primoz Roglic, the overall leader, had a drama-free day to finish safely and keep the yellow jersey he claimed last Sunday. In a stellar Tour for Slovenia, Luka Mezgec took the sprint for second and Simon Consonni was third.

Horse racing

The Breeders’ Cup in November will be held without spectators, joining the Triple Crown races in having only essential personnel and participants on hand because of the coronavirus pandemic. The world championships are set for Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

Breeders’ Cup officials also announced Keeneland will play host for a third time in 2022.

WNBA

Myisha Hines-allen had 25 points and 11 rebounds to help Washington (8-13) beat the New York Liberty (2-19) 75-58 at Bradenton, Fla., keeping the Mystics’ playoff hopes alive.

A’ja Wilson scored 19 points with eight rebounds and the Las Vegas Aces (17-4) beat the Los Angeles Sparks (15-7) 84-70 to clinch a top-two finish and a double-bye into the playoff semifinals that comes with it.

Rachel Banham made seven 3-pointers and scored 29 points, and the Minnesota Lynx (14-8) completed their regular season with a 98-86 victory over the Indiana Fever (6-16).