Liverpool came away 4-1 winners in their first home match of the season at the redeveloped Anfield against reigning champions Leicester City.
Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane gave the Reds a two goal lead, before a Lucas Leiva howler gifted Leicester talisman Jamie Vardy a tap-in to get the visitors back within reach before half-time.
A goal soon after the restart for Adam Lallana, plus a second for Firmino, put the Foxes to bed among a wave of Anfield jubilation.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 7: Was solid between the posts and made a very important save when Vardy came steaming towards him. Will need to continue this form if he is to keep his spot in favour of new goalkeeper Loris Karius.
Nathaniel Clyne – 6.5: Becoming Mr Consistent for the Reds. Was not spectacular, but did his job.
Joel Matip – 6.5: Looks a valuable player and will only improve with age on his side. Can pass and defend, signs of a good modern day centre-back.
Lucas Leiva – 6: Apart from the horrendous mistake, he did a decent job in place of Dejan Lovren.
James Milner – 6.5: Not an ideal left-back choice, but was up to the challenge again. Was the creator of the first goal and continued to show his importance to the side.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 6.5: Came away with an assist and looks to be gaining confidence. Will only get better as he continues to settle in.
Jordan Henderson – 7: He backed up his performance at White Hart Lane and looked comfortable in the middle of the park playing in the deeper role. Still needs to improve the end product side of his game.
Adam Lallana – 7: After scoring the winner with England in the dying moments midweek, he managed to hit a belter which put the Reds in complete control.
Sadio Mane – 8.5: Again he made a huge difference for the Reds. A goal and an assist rounded off a Man of the Match performance.
Daniel Sturridge – 7: Looked sharp and despite not scoring, he finished with an assist.
Roberto Firmino – 8: Started the game brightly and finished with two goals. When he is at his best, there are not many better on the eye.
Substitutes
Philippe Coutinho – 6: Looked bright, but ultimately did not have enough time to impact the game.
Kevin Stewart – 6: Shielded the back four when needed.
Alberto Moreno – N/A: Didn’t play enough minutes.
Leicester City
Kasper Schmeichel – 5: Looked uncertain and gifted Liverpool their fourth goal.
Danny Simpson – 5.5: Was not terrible, but was not playing like the consistent and reliable defender he has become.
Wes Morgan – 5.5: The captain had a go, but was not at his absolute best today and it impacted Leicester dearly.
Robert Huth – 5.5: Similar to his partner, he struggled at times and it showed. Did prove to be a nuisance from set-pieces though.
Christian Fuchs – 5.5: Got up and down the flanks but looked a shadow of his usual self.
Riyad Mahrez – 5.5: Has not looked his best thus far in the new season. On a positive spin, there is plenty of time to turn that around.
Daniel Amartey – 5: Was non-existent for the majority of the match. N’golo Kante is proving to be a real miss in the middle of the park.
Danny Drinkwater – 5.5: Vital to Leicester’s success in recent times, but was another player off the ball against the Reds.
Marc Albrighton – 5.5: Did not offer enough throughout the game.
Shinji Okazaki – 5.5: Huffed and puffed, yet it just was not his day. Substituted before the second half.
Jamie Vardy – 7: Looked lively and was rewarded with a goal. Key to whether the champions have any success this season.
Substitutes
Luis Hernandez – 5.5: Seemed non-existent for the majority of the match.
Ahmed Musa – 5.5: Added a bit of pace upfront, but failed to make any real impact.
Leonardo Ulloa – 5.5: Searched for goal, but was not getting enough supply to create some genuine chances.
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