Matchday four of the English Premier League got underway on Saturday with a trip to Leicester for one of the premiership favourites.
Liverpool’s first half an hour at the King Power Stadium was irrepressible and indicative of much of the hype and hope surrounding the squad.
The Reds dominated early possession and should have scored almost immediately, but for Mohamed Salah firing wide with the goal begging.
Soon after it did come and Sadio Mane continued his run of goals, as he converted from close range after excellent control and precision in the lead up work.
Liverpool spent the next 15 minutes slicing and dicing the Leicester defence. Possession was heavily weighted in the visitors’ favour and when Leicester did manage to take it back, the moments were fleeting.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were frantic and intense in their efforts to shut down potential breaks from the centre of the pitch.
(Photo: AFP)
As soon as the Foxes seemed likely to counter, multiple Liverpool shirts arrived in a timely manner and shut down the moment with manic pressure.
It all looked a little too easy for the Reds and perhaps that was the catalyst for something of a drift in their intensity as the half went on.
To Leicester’s credit they fought hard and slowly but surely began to turn the game statistically, on the back of achieving a level of control in midfield.
It set up what looked a compelling second half into which Liverpool were a little fortunate to take a two goal lead, after Roberto Firmino’s headed goal in the dying moments of the first.
Leicester switched off defensively for a moment and one of the ever threatening attacking options of Liverpool was there to profit.
It is what Liverpool do best, yet Leicester exposed a few areas of concern for Klopp in midfield, as the home side took control for extended periods in the second half.
The goal would eventually come and set up a tense finish with the Foxes pushing for a late equaliser.
It probably wasn’t the goal mapped out by Claude Puel during preparations for the fixture and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson will be having nightmares about his blunder.
Attempting to dribble around an opposition player, the Brazilian erred in judgement and Rachid Ghezzal was there to pounce on the opportunity.
It seems talk and discussion around the standard of Liverpool goalkeeping is set to continue, at least in the short term.
Thankfully for Alisson, the Reds were to prevail in a gripping finish and now sit comfortably atop the table with another impressive unit.
Chelsea dominated possession against Bournemouth yet took their time in finding the net.
Goals to Pedro and Eden Hazard saw the home side through and the visitors experienced an early football audit after such a promising start to the season.
Wolverhampton claimed its first win of the season with an away victory against West Ham.
Manuel Pellegrini must be wondering exactly what he has got himself in to after a goal from Adama in injury time condemned the Londoners to their fourth straight loss.
Two teams widely predicted to be in for difficult campaigns this season shared the spoils, after a late Glenn Murray penalty snatched a point for Brighton and a 2-2 draw with Fulham, while Everton and Huddersfield remained deadlocked at 1-1 after a scoreless second half.
Manchester City beat Newcastle at home with a thorough statistical domination of the Magpies.
With the best part of 80 per cent possession and goals to Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker, City now lurk ominously behind the Reds and Blues; waiting to take a ladder lead that they intend to hold for the remainder of the season.
In Sunday’s action Romelu Lukaku scored twice to ensure the victory so desperately required by Jose Mourinho and Manchester United.
Burnley were no match for the Red Devils, nor were Tottenham in their clash with Watford.
Both sides knew they would go equal top with a win and it was the Hornets who took the chances when on offer, securing a 2-1 victory.
Despite looking outclassed early in the contest, Cardiff pushed the Gunners to the brink with an inspired performance on a warm afternoon in Wales.
Alexandre Lacazette found the net in the 81st minute to secure the points and send Arsenal back into the top ten, after a somewhat ponderous start to their premiership tilt.
The League action resumes on September 15th with a cracking clash between Tottenham and Liverpool, with much interest also in the Watford vs Manchester United match that follows soon after.
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