Thanks to Mohamed Salah, Liverpool escaped death against excellent Leeds United in their season-opener. The final result at Anfield was 4-3 for the champs, who reached the win in the last minutes of the event.
The Egyptian was excellent today, scoring a hat-trick and eventually securing a win executing a penalty in the 87th minute of the game. It was his second goal from the penalty spot, with the first one opening the game after just four minutes played.
One of Leeds’ players handballed in the box, and the referee Michael Oliver didn’t have any doubts, immediately sanctioning that reckless move.
The Peacocks would respond very fast, through Jack Harison in the 12th minute, using the mistake of Liverpool‘s defense. Eight minutes following his score, the Reds regained the lead with Virgil Van Dijk’s header after a corner-kick.
Van Dijk, however, made a mistake until the end of the halftime, and Patrick Bamford used it to level the result once again.
A fantastic opening period minutes were spiced with Salah’s bomb in the 33rd minute. Pharaon, as the fans call him, received one ball a little bit right to the goal inside the box, and fired a rocket, which was undeniable.
When many believed that the champions might solve this one without some bigger problems, Mateusz Klich shocked all the Reds’ fans. Once again, Liverpool’s defense didn’t react well, and the newcomers form the Championship punished it very swiftly.
Mo Salah played very much like a man aggrieved to not be included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year… pic.twitter.com/PGW4G50UBh
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) September 12, 2020
The guests’ most expensive addition this summer, Rodrigo, made it sure that this wasn’t the last error in this contest. His reckless tackle brought Fabinho down, and once again, Liverpool was awarded a penalty. Same as before, we saw Salah routinely beating Meslier.
Leeds didn’t have the power to respond once more, but the visitors left an excellent impression having in mind that they played against one of the best teams in Europe. They didn’t defend, but instead, attacked and pressured Liverpool. It needs to be said that even if Peacocks left Anfield unbeaten, it definitely wouldn’t be undeserved.
They are clashing with Fulham in the next round at home. The Cottages lost earlier today at Craven against Arsenal 0-3. Liverpool heads for London to face Chelsea in the derby of the round.
