Mohamed Salah was Liverpool’s opening day hat-trick hero, scoring three of their four goals to edge past newly promoted Leeds United.
The Egyptian has won or shared in two Golden Boot awards since returning to the Premier League and signalled his intent to do likewise this season with a clinical treble at Anfield on Saturday.
Two penalties and a brilliantly struck half-volley proved too much for the newcomers, who scored three equalisers of their own - but were beaten by the Egyptian’s composure from the spot late on.
After the game, Salah noted the Reds have to improve defensively in future matches, but pointed to his experience in pressure situations as to why he was confident to score the winner.
“It was so tough, but its a good start,” he told Sky Sports.
"[Leeds are a] tough team, they press high and their intensity was good. We shouldn’t concede three but we had to react and did a good job.
"I scored a penalty in a Champions League final so this is a little bit easier! It’s just about keeping focus, score and get the three points.
“It’s a tough team, they had a great game. They play away, no fans [at Anfield] but still away and they act really well. Scoring three against us is unusual but I’m happy about the result and we have to keep improving.”
The Reds only dropped two points at home in the entirety of 2019/20, but almost started the new season by matching that in the first game.
Salah, meanwhile, is already looking sharp enough to be the tormentor-in-chief of many top-flight sides once more.
