The opening Saturday of the Premier League flattered to deceive somewhat.
That’s a strange thing to say about a day that saw a simultaneous bicycle kick result in a goal, but it felt as though there was something lacking.
Manchester United’s victory over Bournemouth suggested Sunday might be better, though, and then Arsenal v Liverpool knocked it out the park.
We might have guessed we’d be in for goals when Arsenal’s inexperienced centre-back pairing was announced.
https://twitter.com/kevinmccauley/status/764829468175327236
Holding Chambers sounds like something Theresa May wants to introduce for immigrants entering the country
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) August 14, 2016
But Arsenal took a first-half lead, due in no small part to Alberto Moreno.
First, the Liverpool left-back gave away a penalty, which Theo Walcott saw saved by Simon Mignolet, and then he left Walcott in acres of space to make amends.
Some fans weren’t best pleased.
Persevering with Moreno *is* a mark against Klopp, and anyone who thinks that's "knee-jerk" can see me in my office.
— Carl Kinsella (@TVsCarlKinsella) August 14, 2016
We say ‘some’…
'moreno', 'lallana', 'alberto' & 'liability' are now trending in #Liverpool https://t.co/49a6lxRqxb
— Trendsmap Liverpool (@TrendsLiverpool) August 14, 2016
Has any player ever had two worse consecutive competitive halves than Moreno in the Europa League final second half and today's first half?
— OSullivanMUFC (@OSullivanMUFC) August 14, 2016
Philippe Coutinho’s stunning free-kick meant it was all square at the break, though.
The Premier League has surely never had 2 more 'I've contributed absolutely nothing but somehow I've scored' players than Walcott & Coutinho
— Tim Stillman (@Stillmanator) August 14, 2016
And what a free-kick it was.
https://twitter.com/ThatDamnYank/status/764851701639737344
Shortly after the break, Adam Lallana gave Klopp’s team the lead for the first time.
https://twitter.com/RWhittall/status/764856084075077632
Moreno might not have found the net, but Liverpool soon added two more through Coutinho and Sadio Mane, leaving the hosts with a lot to do.
https://twitter.com/JacobSteinberg/status/764857915270393856
The Brazilian’s second of the game was impressive, but Mane’s solo effort was something else.
https://twitter.com/NutmegRadio/status/764859385202012161
OHHHH MANÉ! What. A. Goal.
Arsenal are a shambles.
— Brent (@logoffbrent) August 14, 2016
Substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain quickly pulled one back, but it didn’t even paper over the cracks.
We're in fan-ripping-up-season-ticket-in-front-of-Wenger territory here
— OSullivanMUFC (@OSullivanMUFC) August 14, 2016
“Vibrancy doesn’t make you win games," said Arsene Wenger yesterday. Tell you what, Liverpool look awfully….. vibrant.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) August 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/judeinlondon/status/764860924545163265
Chambers made it 3-4 with 15 minutes to go.
https://twitter.com/_Zeets/status/764862330207338496
Wenger’s refusal to spend came in for some criticism, and one senses he might dip back into the transfer market before August is out.
Perfect time for Wenger to bring on Icardi, Higuain and Draxler
— Shivam Manghnani (@shivamLM) August 14, 2016
Chambers had something in common with many of today’s scorers.
Walcott, Lallana, Mane, Ox, Chambers all scoring: Saints alive! C'mon Lovren and Clyne.
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) August 14, 2016
It might have been stressful for Arsenal and Liverpool fans, but neutrals were loving it.
https://twitter.com/Priya8Ramesh/status/764862541939904512
This game is better than anything seen in the Olympics
— Keir (@Kingkeir) August 14, 2016
FT Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool. A game full of mistakes but high on entertainment with some quality goals. The Premier League is back.
— Just Football (@JustFootball) August 14, 2016
We can all agree that this season needs more of the same on a weekly basis. Well, unless you’re an Arsenal fan.
https://twitter.com/_Zeets/status/764861485537452032
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