Anfield welcomed the 2020/21 season with a real goal-fest, as Liverpool edged out newly promoted Leeds 4-3 at Anfield on Saturday.
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Liverpool 4-3 Leeds
Premier League, Anfield
September 12, 2020
Goals: Salah pen 4′ 33′ pen 87′, Van Dijk 20′; Harrison 12′, Bamford 30′, Klich 67′
The Reds were ahead just a few minutes after kick-off, Mo Salah burying a penalty after his own shot had been blocked by a Leeds arm.
That frenetic start was only a hint of what was to come, though, with the ball in the net a further five times in the next 25 minutes.
Jack Harrison scored a brilliant individual equaliser, before Sadio Mane lofted a 30-yard shot into an empty net – only for the offside flag to rule out the strike.
Then Andy Robertson delivered a dangerous corner which Virgil van Dijk met with a powerful header to put the Reds back in front.
And on the half-hour mark it was 2-2, with Van Dijk blundering a clearance which was rolled home by Patrick Bamford—with Salah instantly replying with a thunderous half-volley into the top corner.
The second half was barely any less intense, despite fewer goals.
Gini Wijnaldum shot straight at the keeper from a few yards out, before Firmino opted against shooting twice.
Mane and Salah then fashioned a chance with several one-two passes, only for the No. 10 to sky his shot.
And Leeds found a third equaliser with Mateusz Klich half-volleying past Alisson with a quarter of the game remaining.
It started to look as though a frustrating start to the title defence would be the case, but Fabinho nicked the ball ahead of Rodrigo late on and the new Leeds signing brought him down – another penalty for the Reds.
Salah kept his cool, hit his hat-trick and gave a thrilling three points to the champions.
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