Liverpool tested by Leeds in opener
FOOTBALL
LIVERPOOL, England: Liverpool and Arsenal got off to winning starts with victories over promoted sides on the opening day of the new Premier League season yesterday.
Mohamed Salah scored a hattrick as champion Liverpool won a sevengoal thriller with hugely impressive Leeds United at Anfield. The Egyptian grabbed the win from the spot in the 88th minute of a 43 victory.
Arsenal enjoyed a more comfortable opening day in a 30 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Crystal Palace beat Southampton 10 with Wilfried Zaha on target.
Liverpool took just four minutes to get on target. Leeds debutant German defender Robin Koch was ruled to have handled a Salah shot and he blasted home the spotkick.
Jack Harrison equalised for Leeds eight minutes later with a fine solo goal before Liverpool restored its lead in the 20th minute as Virgil van Dijk was left unmarked to head in an Andy Robertson corner.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side, back in the top flight after a 16year absence, rallied with Patrick Bamford slotting home.
Salah blasted Liverpool back in front, 12 minutes before the break but Leeds hit back for a third time through Polish midfielder Mateusz Klich, who made it 33.
Liverpool secured the points in the 88th minute with another Salah penalty after substitute Rodrigo Moreno brought down Fabinho.
‘‘What a game, what an opponent, what a performance from both teams. A proper spectacle. I loved that,’’ Klopp said.
Liverpool is now unbeaten in 60 straight league games at Anfield. The Gunners took care of business in West London.
Alexander Lacazette fired the visitors ahead in the eighth minute after poor defending by the home side before new signing Gabriel made it 20 in the 49th and PierreEmerick Aubameyang put the icing on the cake with a superb shot into the top corner.
Zaha scored his 50th league goal for Crystal Palace as it beat Southampton 10 to win on the opening day of a Premier League campaign for the first time.
The home team went ahead against the run of play as Zaha met Andros Townsend's pinpoint cross from the right with a sidefooted volley past goalkeeper Alex McCarthy in the 13th minute.
Southampton defender Kyle WalkerPeters was shown a straight red for a high challenge before referee Jon Moss changed it to a yellow following the intervention of the video assistant referee.
New signings Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick scored for Newcastle United as it won 20 away to West Ham United. — Reuters