The 2020-21 Premier League season for the defending champions Liverpool FC got off to the most thrilling of starts, with the Anfield giants narrowly edging out a highly-combative Leeds United side 4-3 at home, courtesy to a Mohammad Salah hattrick.
The Reds could not have wished for a better start to their opening league fixture when a handball by Leeds United’s Robin Koch in the box led to a spot-kick being awarded to Jurgen Klopp’s side. Salah dispatched the resulting penalty with sheer power down the middle to give his side the lead.
However, the visitors were ready to inflict damage on Liverpool FC on the other end of the pitch themselves. Harrison’s wonderful control on the ball saw him going past both Arnold and Gomez before striking a near-post finish past Alisson to level the scoreline.
Liverpool FC did get the lead for the second time with just 20 minutes having passed on the clock, with Andy Robertson’s swinging delivery into the box from a corner kick being headed past Leeds goalie Illan Meslier by Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman’s goalscoring heroics turned into a rather shambolic defensive showing on his part when the center-back misjudged an ariel ball just minutes after him giving the Merseyside giants the lead. A weak touch by Van Dijk in front of his penalty area allowed Bamford to tap a composed finish across Alisson to level the game 2-2.
To cap off a topsy-turvy but equally nail-biting opening half of the game was a thumping strike into the roof of the net by Salah for his brace and Liverpool FC’s third of the afternoon.
The second half was always going to be a period of 45 minutes to savor for supporters of both sides, as the hosts looked to pile pressure upon Marco Bielsa’s men early on. Chances fell the way of both Wijnaldum and Van Dijk to increase their team’s one-goal advantage, however, neither of the players could capitalize upon them.
Jurgen Klopp’s worst fears did come true when Leeds did manage to level yet again in the 66th minute through a wonderful solo effort by Klich, a chance being afforded to the Polish international due to a rather lazy defensive marking by the Liverpool FC players.
But the Reds did have it in themselves to ensure they started their title defense with three points in the bag when a second penalty of the game was awarded to them after substitute Fabinho was brought down in a rash challenge by Leeds United debutant Rodrigo.
Mohammad Salah stepped up to take the spot-kick, his second too of the afternoon, and scored past Meslier with comfort to complete a majestic hat-trick on opening day at Anfield. A victory confirmed!
MATCH STATS
SCORE: 4-3
Possession: Liverpool FC- 48.8% Leeds United FC- 51.2%
Yellow Cards: Liverpool FC- 1 Leeds United FC- 0
Shots: Liverpool FC- 22 Leeds United FC- 6
Offsides: Liverpool FC- 2 Leeds United FC- 5
