Mohamed Salah led Liverpool, the English Premier League (EPL) champions, to a thrilling 4-3 win over newly promoted Leeds United on the opening day of the new season at Anfield.
Salah scored a hat-trick, the first time in 30 years a Liverpool player would achieve such feat in the opening game of the season.
The entertaining encounter delivered five goals in the first half — all scored in the first 33 minutes — with two more in the second period of the match.
The Egyptian converted two penalties — one in each half — and added a thunderous 12-yard strike to overcome Leeds, winners of last season’s English championship, who went toe-to-toe with the reigning EPL champions, equalising on three occasions before succumbing to defeat.
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The former Roma speedy winger got his first — and the first goal of the match — from the spot on four minutes following a handball, before hammering his kick straight to the post for a 1-0 lead.
The 28-year-old’s second was a brilliant finish from 12 yards, with the ball hitting the bar before nestling into the net. He would eventually score the match-winner on a crazy Anfield night with his second penalty. Salah sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to ensure victory.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s towering defender, had restored the Reds’ lead at 2-1, leaping highest and unchallenged to plant a header from Andy Robertson’s corner kick.
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In another high-profile match of the day, Arsenal won 3-0 at Fulham, another newly promoted side, at the Craven Cottage in London.
RESULTS
- Crystal Palace 1-0 Southampton
- Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
- Liverpool 4-3 Leeds United
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