Liverpool barely avoided losing points in the goal chaos

Mohamed Salah hit a hat trick when Liverpool had to work hard for the win against Leeds.

Liverpool-Leeds 4–3

Like so many times before, Liverpool took the victory in the final minutes. The decision fell when Mohamed Salah completed his hat trick with a sure goal on his second penalty of the match in the 88th minute.

Up front, Leeds substitute Rodrigo collided with a Fabinho foul after a corner kick.

Thus, Liverpool escaped the horror. For a long time, the reigning champion was ready to score points already in the first round.

– It is disappointing that the fans were not allowed to be here, because both teams delivered. I can’t imagine what it would be like with the fans in such a match, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said in an interview broadcast on TV 2.

Then the German boasted uncontrollably from the opponent. The match was Leeds’ first at the top level since 2004.

– They chased every ball. I can’t admire them more than I do, they play fantastic football.

Ellevill half an hour

Fast paced is a word that is barely enough to sum up the first round at Anfield. Five goals and several dangerous situations in just over half an hour speak for themselves.

In the opening minutes, there was little to suggest that this would be anything but a comfortable home win. Liverpool gave Leeds a real tempo impact in the guests’ first Premier League encounter in 5,964 days.

After just four minutes, referee Michael Oliver pointed to the penalty spot. Leeds rookie Robin Koch reached out and stopped with Salah’s shot. The penalty was clear, and Liverpool’s top scorer even put the ball safely into the net.

Salah is used to scoring on the series premiere. The Egyptian became the first Liverpool player to score in the league’s first round four seasons in a row on Saturday, the statistics service reports. OptaJoe. In the Premier League, only Teddy Sheringham has done it before (1992-1995).

After the backhand, Leeds returned to the hooks. Marcelo Bielsea’s team managed to equalize and showed encouraging signs in attacking play. The 1-1 goal in the 12th minute did not come out of nowhere as Jack Harrison duped the Liverpool defense and shoved the ball into the net between goalkeeper Allison and the nearest post.

– It could be 7-7!

Both teams had clear signs of weakness in defensive play on the opening day of the Premier League. It was particularly visible in 2–1 and 2–2.

Unmolested, Virgil van Dijk was able to fly through the air and stab Andy Robertson’s corner. The Liverpool goalkeeper has scored with his head all of his last nine league goals.

But ten minutes later, the same man made an intervention with a negative sign. The Dutchman tried to throw the ball to Robertson, but served Patrick Bamford. The Leeds forward made it 2-2 with a shot that went past Alisson.

– What a brilliant match. This could be 7-7! That’s too arrogant, van Dijk. A gift package, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said during the broadcast to Sky Sports.

But again, the cheers from Leeds were going to quickly fade. Three minutes later it was 3-2 when Salah landed a perfect shot and sent a cannon to the nearest corner.

– Is it a computer game we are watching? Carragher exclaimed.

After the break, Liverpool apparently had better control and created the most chances. Still, he slipped into the middle of the doorway. On a volley, Mateusz Klich struck and made it 3-3.

But there should be no points for newly promoted guests. Salah provided it with another penalty goal just before the end.