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Football is back and, apparently, better than ever. Liverpool and Arsenal played out a seven goal thriller in London, the Merseyside club racing to a 4-1 lead before surrendering two late goals and giving Arsene Wenger’s men a brief moment of joy.
Having finished runners-up to Leicester City last year, hope was awash amongst Arsenal supporters like the August sunshine flooding across the pristine pitch of the Emirates Stadium. Theo Walcott contrived to ruin the buoyant atmosphere inside the ground by having his early penalty saved by Simon Mignolet, but he got on the scoresheet just moments later — essentially encapsulating what makes Walcott such a derisive footballer.
A minute after his PK was denied, Theo Walcott strikes back for @Arsenal! #PLonNBC https://t.co/nDI05ikqtI
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 14, 2016
Arsenal appeared to be heading for halftime in the lead and in control, but Coutinho managed to draw a foul just outside the Arsenal area. His resulting free kick was pure genius — a sensationally struck dead ball that flew beyond Petr Cech and into the corner of the goal.
Liverpool now lead 2-1.
Check out the brilliant bending strike from Philippe Coutinho that put @LFC on the board! https://t.co/DbtXGxvcuY— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 14, 2016
Jurgen Klopp’s halftime team talk sent Liverpool flying out the gates to begin the second half. Playing with a tenacity and sharpness that simply blew Arsenal out of the water, Liverpool’s every attack quickly exposed the fragility of the Gunners.
Adam Lallana’s go-ahead goal in the 49th minute was a rare piece of goalscoring brilliance from the Englishman.
Gol de Adam Lallana Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool #PL #FPL #LFC #YNWA pic.twitter.com/GKqHn85Nii
— Gràcies Cruyff (@SrtoPique3) August 14, 2016
Liverpool added a third in the 56th minute. Coutinho’s movement off the ball was inspirational and, even if his finish was a tad fortunate, the electric Brazilian got his second of the match.
He came, He saw, He Conquered.
Phillipe Coutinho pic.twitter.com/xkdkVQ2YEu— Yániu (@yaniu8) August 14, 2016
Liverpool were rampant. Their fourth goal was the result of some spectacular play from new signing Sadio Mane. Even without Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool had still managed to put four incredible goals past Arsenal away from home.
Unbelievable goal from Manepic.twitter.com/JajxqMPH2H
— Ross McCulloch (@Rossmac212) August 14, 2016
Arsenal’s response to Liverpool’s fourth was almost instantaneous. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had entered the match as a substitute and earned an Arsenal goal with a great piece of direct play.
This is typical #Arsenal, the fact that we'll 'nearly' comeback will paper over the cracks #AFC https://t.co/n37P6HyAdq
— Michael Gravesande (@OldBlackHack) August 14, 2016
With many Arsenal fans having already made their way to the exits, Calum Chambers exposed the irrationality of such derisible support. His 75th minute header made the score 4-3 with 15 minutes still to play.
Calum Chambers vs @LFC (2016). pic.twitter.com/9nnco5dfcT
— ArsenalGoals (@ArsenalGoals) August 14, 2016
However, Liverpool were finally able to apply the breaks to a manic match. The final score read 4-3 in favor of Liverpool. It was a fantastic opening match for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds, while Wenger and Arsenal will already be feeling the pressure of defeat.
Follow me on Twitter: @ConmanFleming
