Liverpool started their Premier League campaign with an entertaining 4-3 win against Arsenal, with Philippe Coutinho the star man for the Reds. With the visitors second best throughout the first-half, and one goal down, the Brazilian conjured up a magnificent free-kick just before the break to kickstart his side’s afternoon.
Theo Walcott had opened the scoring for the Gunners, with the winger’s goal coming after he had already missed a penalty. However, with the first-half almost over, new-boy Rob Holding fouled Coutinho some way outside the Arsenal box. Despite the distance, the Brazilian playmaker proceeded to produce a stunning strike which left Peter Cech with no chance…
What a free kick !!! Coutinho-o-o !!! pic.twitter.com/2N4EREdrsb
— ZAG-KAG (@1811MAG) August 14, 2016
The second-half saw a rampant Liverpool net again, courtesy of strikes from Coutinho (just after the re-start), Adam Lallana and Sadio Mané.
The Gunners, despite their limp defence and lack of a striker (same old story), did eventually stage a fightback, via goals from sub Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers.
However, in the end it was Jurgen Klopp’s side who would take all three points from an entertaining game, a game which saw five ex-Southampton players find the back of the net.
While Liverpool fans will be pleased with the win (despite questions mark over their defence), Gooners are used to this kind of debacle, with a lack of summer signings (and an injury to Aaron Ramsey already) and a chorus of boos echoing around the Emirates at the final whistle all-too familiar.