An easy win and a new Premier League record for Liverpool and Mohamed Salah. Not only did the Reds beat the Premier League returnees Norwich, but the Egiptyan scored his fifth consecutive goal in the league opening matches, setting a new record: Liverpool – Norwich 3-0.Jurgen Klopp finally had all of his injured players from last season at his disposal, and with relegation tipped Canarines on the other side of the field, the win was inevitable. Virgil van Dijk finally started from the first minute, while the German tactician decided to put Konstantinos Tsimikas and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain instead of Thiago and Jordan Henderson, and even Naby Keita got a rare start. Diogo Jota started the match at the expense of Roberto Firmino, but in the end, both players scored goal apiece.5 – Mohamed Salah has become the first player to score on the opening weekend in five consecutive Premier League campaigns. Famous. #NORLIV pic.twitter.com/iQdUnKKeZa— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 14, 2021 Liverpool won 1-0 at Norwich City in February 2020 (Sadio Mane), and the Reds completed a league double over the Canaries during that title-winning campaign as they also claimed a 4-1 opening day success at Anfield. The Reds scored rather early, in the 26th minute, when Jota justified Klopp’s trust to put him in the first 11 for this game. Norwich tried to do something at the beginning of the second half, but it was not enough as the Canarines were overplayed by Liverpool’s reserve midfielders, and Firmino’s goal was effectively the end for Norwich, who ended the game with only two shots on target, comparing to Liverpool’s eight. Salah added the third in the 74th minute, only to secure his name in the Premier League record book.
PREMIER LEAGUE – Round 1FridayBrentford – Arsenal 2-0 (1-0)/Canos 22, Norgaard 73/SaturdayManchester United – Leeds United 5-1 (1-0)/Fernandes 30, 54, 60, Greenwood 52, Fred 68 – Ayling 48/Everton – Southampton 3-1 (0-1)/Richarlison 47, Doucoure 76, Calvert-Lewin 81 – Armstrong 22/Chelsea – Crystal Palace 3-0 (2-0)/Alonso 27, Pulisic 40, Chalobah 58/Burnley – Brighton 1-2 (1-0)/Tarkowski 2 – Maupau 73, Allister 78/Leicester – Wolverhampton 1-0 (1-0)/Vardy 41/Watford – Aston Villa 3-2/Dennis 10, Sarr 42, Hernandez 67 – McGinn 70, Ings (p) 90+6/Norwich – Liverpool 0-3 (0-1)/Jota 26, Firmino 65, Salah 74/Sunday16.00: (3.15) Newcastle (3.30) West Ham (2.30)18.30: (5.20) Tottenham (3.70) Man.City (1.70)***odds are subject to change