Mohamed Salah completed his hat-trick with a late penalty as Premier League champions Liverpool survived a huge scare to see off Leeds United in their opening game of the new season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side, back in the top flight after 16 years, were impressive throughout and came from behind to level on three occasions before Salah’s third goal, second from a spot kick broke their hearts.
Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klich all scored for Leeds each after they trialed by goals by Salah, Vandijck and Salah again. It was an open game with toe to toe attacks and fast forward movements.
It was a hugely encouraging, if ultimately pointless, return for the Yorkshire side who looked set to earn a point when Klich scored a fabulous goal at the Anfield Road end.
But record signing Rodrigo, a second-half replacement for Bamford, made a rash challenge on Fabinho to allow Salah the chance to thump home.
With his rejuvenated performance, Salah became the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick for them in the opening game of a season.
Bielsa was disappointed with the result after a brave fight from his boys: “In some moments we were able to be superior. But on the whole, Liverpool were superior. At this level errors equal goals.” He said in the post match reaction.
He didn’t blame Rodrigo for conceding the penalty and losing the game.
“There’s no direct relationship between the foul & the result… you can’t blame 1 player for the defeat even if he made an error. Liverpool should have scored just before the penalty.”