Goals from Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota gave Liverpool a 3-1 win over Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield.
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
‣ 0-1: Alexandre Lacazette (25')
‣ 1-1: Sadio Mane (28')
‣ 2-1: Andy Robertson (34')
‣ 3-1: Diogo Jota (88')
As it happened →
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Liverpool dominated for much of the game but found themselves behind in the first-half after a goal against the run of play by Alexandre Lacazette.
But Sadio Mane and Andy Robertson struck back within ten minutes of the opener before Diogo Jota netted his first Reds goal late on to clinch a 3-1 win.
Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Joe Gomez returned to the starting eleven as Fabinho moved into midfield, while new signing Thiago was left out due to a minor knock.
There was an early yellow card for Sadio Mane inside the opening three minutes, with the Reds forward taking a small swipe towards Kieran Tierney's direction during a challenge.
Both sides looked to get the ball on the floor and build from the back, but there was an element of mutual respect between the two as neither side looked to overcommit in the final third.
Trent Alexander-Arnold found plenty of joy down the right and his excellent cross into the box was swept goalwards by Mane, but Bernd Leno made a solid save to keep him out.
The Reds nearly made their dominance count as a powerful effort by Alexander-Arnold from the edge of the box ricocheted off the feet of Hector Bellerin and nearly looped in - but for the crossbar.
Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Despite keeping the Gunners' quiet for much of the opening first 25 minutes, the visitors found a way forward on the break before being gifted an opener by Andy Robertson.
The Reds left-back scuffed his clearance into the path of Alexandre Lacazette, who crept in behind and finished over Alisson's outstretched arms.
However, it didn't take long for the champions to respond as they drew level just three minutes later. Mohamed Salah got the better of Tierney and had a strike at goal, with Mane on hand to finish the follow-up after Leno's intervention.
Liverpool asserted themselves once more as they went in search of a second, which came through Robertson, who made amends for his involvement in Arsenal's opener.
Another dangerous cross by Alexander-Arnold found its way across to Robertson, who collected the ball in his path and tucked the ball past Leno to make it 2-1.
Arsenal were much improved in the second half, but the Reds weathered any signs of a comeback as they began to threaten themselves.
Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images
However, Lacazette could have levelled for Arsenal after being played through on goal, but Alisson came out impressively and denied the Frenchman after narrowing the angle.
With a little over ten minutes to go, James Milner and Diogo Jota came on to replace Mane and Naby Keita as the Reds looked to see out the three points.
Jota made it 3-1 in the final minutes to mark his home debut with a goal and seal a convincing three points for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita, Mane, Firmino, Salah.
LFC Globe's MOTM: Sadio Mane
Next Fixture: Arsenal (H) - 1 Oct, 7.45pm
