Liverpool 4-3 Leeds United – Mohammed Salah’s hattrick was enough for Liverpool to pick up three opening day points against last season’s Championship winners Leeds United in an opening day classic where Liverpool were pushed all the way by the Premier League new boys who were playing their first game in the top flight for 16 years.
First half:
It was last season’s Premier League winners Liverpool who had the better of the early going and were awarded a penalty when Mohammed Salah saw his shot blocked by the arm of debuting Leeds United defender Robin Koch. Mohammed Salah would then step up to take the penalty and make no mistake putting the champions 1-0 up against new boys Leeds United after just four minutes.
Leeds United seemed to be showing no fear at Anfield themselves and the lack of fear was rewarded when Kalvin Phillips picked out a wonderful pass to winger Jack Harrison who then took the ball past Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez to then unleash a shot past Alisson and equalise for visitors Leeds United who scored their first Premier League goal since May 8th 2004.
The game was very much end to end stuff with both teams looking likely to score every time they attacked and it was Liverpool who took the lead again when Virgil Van Dijk headed in an Andrew Robertson corner and scored on the opening day of the season for the second year in a row to put Liverpool 2-1 up and once again in control of the game.
Liverpool would only be in front for a further ten minutes after defender Virgil van Dijk’ uncharacteristically made a poor clearance which Patrick Bamford capitalized back on and slotted past Alisson to bring Leeds United level for the second time in the match as the Peacocks were looking at home in the top tier.
A chaotic first half then then saw a fifth goal go in and it was another one for the Premier League champions and Mohammed Salah who’s wonderful strike nestled in to the top corner to make it 3-2 at Anfield in a game where it never felt like the goals were going to stop in what was a first half to remember.
Second half:
The second half was a much more settled affair with both teams being far more relaxed in their approach; however, another goal was added in the game when Mateusz Klich fired Leeds United level again out of nowhere to stun the champions as Leeds United proved they would be a force in the top flight once again.
Leeds United then came within inches of taking the lead for the first time in the match when Kalvin Phillips very nearly topped off his stellar performance with a wonderfully struck free kick; but unfortunately, his effort went just wide of Alisson Becker’s post as the score remained at 3-3.
Leeds United were closing in on what would have been an amazing opening day point at Anfield; however, new Leeds United signing Rodrigo would clumsily bring down Fabinho in the penalty area which would award Liverpool their second penalty of the game and give them an opportunity to surely secure three opening day points.
Mohammed Salah stepped up to take the penalty with a chance to score his hattrick and Mohammed Salah would score his hattrick by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way giving Liverpool three points and getting them off to a good start as they look to successfully defend their Premier League title.
Full time
Man of the match:
Mohammed Salah – The Egyptian looked unplayable at times against Leeds United, and scored a hattrick that his performance deserved on the day. Liverpool fans will be hoping Salah can keep these performances up all season.
Fascinating facts:
Mohammed Salah’s hattrick was his first in the Premier League since December 2018 when he scored a treble away at Bournemouth.
This was Patrick Bamford’s first ever Premier League away goal.
Virgil Van Dijk has been on the winning side in every single Premier League game he has scored in for Liverpool.
This was the first time Leeds United had conceded 4 goals in a match in 2020.
Summary:
Liverpool – Despite, being very shaky at the back, Liverpool got off to a good start as they look to defend the Premier League trophy for the first time ever as they found a way to grab three points on the opening day for the third season running.
Leeds United – Even in defeat, this performance was very encouraging for Leeds United who pushed the Premier League champions all the way to the end as well as playing some exciting football. Marcelo Bielsa’s team might well be the ones to watch this campaign.
Sam’s match reports 