Mohamed Salah's hat-trick sees Liverpool past Leeds in Premier League classic

Mo Salah is the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick in the opening game a league season since John Aldridge against Charlton in 1988-89.

Mohamed Salah completed his hat-trick with a late penalty as Premier League champions Liverpool just about saw off Leeds on their long-awaited return.

Marcelo Bielsa's side, back in the top flight after 16 years, were impressive throughout and came from behind to level on three occasions.

But Salah - who scored two spot-kicks - had the last word to ensure Jurgen Klopp's team start with a win.

Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klich all scored for Leeds.

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.

More to follow.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Liverpool

1Alisson
66Alexander-ArnoldSubstituted forMatipat 89'minutes
12Gomez
4van Dijk
26Robertson
8KeitaSubstituted forFabinhoat 58'minutes
14HendersonSubstituted forJonesat 66'minutes
5Wijnaldum
11Salah
9FirminoBooked at 76mins
10Mané

Substitutes

3Fabinho
7Milner
13Adrián
17Jones
18Minamino
27Origi
32Matip

Leeds

1Meslier
2Ayling
5Koch
21Struijk
15Dallas
23Phillips
17Hélder Costa
19HernándezSubstituted forRobertsat 62'minutes
43KlichSubstituted forShackletonat 81'minutes
22Harrison
9BamfordSubstituted forRodrigoat 62'minutes

Substitutes

7Poveda-Ocampo
10Alioski
11Roberts
13Casilla
20Rodrigo
46Shackleton
49Casey

Referee:: Michael Oliver

Match Stats

Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamLeeds

Possession: Home48%; Away52%

Shots: Home22; Away6

Shots on Target: Home6; Away3

Corners: Home9; Away0

Fouls: Home9; Away6

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Liverpool 4, Leeds United 3.
90'+5'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Liverpool 4, Leeds United 3.

90'+4'
Post update
Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90'+4'
Post update
Foul by Joel Matip (Liverpool).
90'+1'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Robin Koch (Leeds United) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kalvin Phillips with a cross.
89'
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Joel Matip replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold.
88'
Post update
Goal! Liverpool 4, Leeds United 3. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.
87'
Post update
Penalty conceded by Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds United) after a foul in the penalty area.
87'
Post update
Penalty Liverpool. Fabinho draws a foul in the penalty area.
87'
Post update
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Jamie Shackleton.
87'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sadio Mané.
85'
Post update
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Robin Koch.
85'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
81'
Substitution
Substitution, Leeds United. Jamie Shackleton replaces Mateusz Klich.
80'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Curtis Jones.
79'
Post update
Robin Koch (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
79'
Post update
Foul by Curtis Jones (Liverpool).
78'
Post update
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Mateusz Klich.
78'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mohamed Salah.
76'
Post update
Attempt missed. Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.

Comments

Join the conversation

148 comments

Fair play to Leeds. They will take points from a number of top teams this season
Wow... great game. Well done Leeds.
Played to the final whistle as champions do. Unlucky Leeds and good to see you back in the Prem. C’mon Liverpool!
Leed's Koch was almost too much for Liverpool to handle.
koiahoy replied:
I made a joke similar to this on a HYS a year or so again and it was removed. Good luck!
A big sigh of relief when that whistle blew! As for Leeds....I hope they continue with this attitude for the rest of the season. We scraped through but the rest of the league will be a more than a little nervous. Well done Bielsa!

As for the trolls and haters....get lost!
We've been rubbish since February. No point saying "oh but they won the League". Clearly something is up and I think it's complacency. We don't need to buy a new team but a couple of good players in key positions is what we need to get some players off their bums.
I'm a Leeds season ticket holder. I think we were a bit unlucky, but defending was poor. We missed Cooper. Looking forward to the season. If we play like that all season we'll finish top half.

MOT.
Oncha replied:
You were, indeed. Leeds deserved to nick it.
Great game all round. Salah Hatrick, Liverpool for some reason looking abit lethargic but will kick on to an alarming stride very soon. Leeds back where they belong, they'll batter the mid-table mob like Utd and Arsenal.

Liverpool PL Champs, Super Cup Champs & World Champs!
Thats how you start a premier league season. Good show from Leeds and once again Liverpool show that winning mentality, that's why they are champions
Huge respect to Leeds. 3 goals from only 5 shots on target. They are going to give some PL teams a REALLY hard time and a scare or three. Be honest, are you nervous about your team facing them?

LFC were poor in some areas today but gritted out 3 points. 95+ points needed again for whoever wins the PL this season.
Wedge replied:
Leeds had only 3 shots on target and scored all 3. Liverpool came through stronger in the last 10 minutes so probably deserved the win in the end but well done Leeds. Welcome back!
Wow, what a game. Now that's how you start the campaign.
Wow well done Leeds and welcome back to the premier league. Liverpool omg sort ya selfs out YNWA
Just your usual, dull season-opener then....😆
That was SENSATIONAL!! Both teams deserve full credit for a wonderful attacking game!
kayesar replied:
Wasn't the opener the opener was very very dull.Fulham v Arsenal.
Well that’s ruined a few evenings in Manchester. Sorry boys not today. The champions keep on going.
Hahaha and Pool fans complain about Utd getting dodgy penalties?? 😂 😂 😂
BACK ON OUR PERCH replied:
Both penalties. Clear hand ball. Clear foul on Fabinho. Go back into your hole loser 😂
If we play like that for the season, we're fine.
HoopleHead replied:
Leeds?
Need to get Thiago flown into John Lennon Airport asap.....
And its back to penalty central
yandaman replied:
Handle in the box and it's a penalty, bring someone down in the box it's a penalty.
Football is brilliant isn't it! We need supporters back in the grounds ASAP. That game would've raised the roof.
Great game of football. Salah Golden Boot elect?! Leeds were brilliant in attack, but poor in defence, as were we. Shame VAR ruled out two of goals, but well deserved win in the end. Champions of England win again. Next.

Accessibility links