Mohamed Salah continued his phenomenal goalscoring record at Anfield as his hat trick secured a 4-3 win for Liverpool against Premier League new boys Leeds United.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men looked destined to end their 16-year absence from the top flight with a determined draw – which they would have been fantastic value for.
But ‘El Loco’ could only look on and grimace as club record signing Rodrigo gave away a penalty in the 87th minute, which Salah duly stepped up and slotted home.
Life in the Premier League could not have gotten off to a worse start for Leeds as debutant Robin Koch was adjudged to have handled Mohamed Salah’s goalbound shot in the box, with the Egypt international converting the spot-kick.
The Whites were level within minutes as Kalvin Phillips’ raking pass found Jack Harrison on the left wing and the on-loan Manchester City man left Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold in his wake before firing home.
The champions regained the lead when Virgil van Dijk powered home a corner, but the Netherlands skipper was completely at fault for Leeds’ second equaliser as his poor touch let in Patrick Bamford to lift the ball over Alisson.
Defensive mishaps seemed to be the order of the day as confusion in the visitor’s box gifted Salah the opportunity to lash home a venomous volley into the top corner to put Liverpool back in front.
The game’s sixth goal was perhaps the best as Helder Costa’s searching pass into the box found Mathues Klich in the box, who controlled the ball into the air and clinically volleyed into the net.
Although it was the type of goal which deserved fans in attendance, the Championship winners will head into their next Premier League fixture at home to Play-Off winners Fulham secure in the knowledge they belong at this level.
Yet they will need to be more resolute at the back as Rodrigo’s sloppy tackle on Fabinho in the box gifted Salah the opportunity to get his third Premier League hat-trick and snatch the points for the hosts.
For Liverpool, some impatient supporters will call for further investment into the squad to improve the depth. Yet with Salah reaching 97 goals in just 154 games for the Reds, perhaps it is more important to keep the 28-year-old fit at all costs.