Liverpool lost to Manchester City in a game that featured Mo Salah’s twinkle toes, Fabinho’s bad day and ended in Joe Gomez being backed.
The Reds drew 1-1 with City but lost the fixture after penalties decided the result, but so much more happened than the scoreline suggests.
Sometimes these games can feel a little bit tepid, but both managers chose to start strong sides and they both wanted that win.
Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah both started despite their summer involvement in international tournaments, which restricted their preseason time with Liverpool.
Joel Matip levelled things for the Reds after a beautiful Virgil van Dijk assist after Raheem Sterling scored against his former side after just 12 minutes.
But there was far more that didn’t make headlines and may have slipped under your radar, but they’re worth sticking around for, starting with a brilliant bit of skill from Salah.
Mo’s twinkle toes baffle blues
Salah managed to take on three City players and live to tell the tale. He did everything except score on Sunday, and if he can continue playing like that he’ll have no problem hunting down the Golden Boot again.
Mo Salah's dancing feet are ready for the new season. pic.twitter.com/cEWArBeCgS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 4, 2019
Fab failed to live up to his name in frustrating day at the office
Fabinho endured a frustrating time of it as he failed in the task he’d been bought to the club to do – protect the back four.
The Brazilian didn’t register a tackle, aerial duel won or make any dribbles while managing to get robbed off the ball twice.
No matter, we all know how good Fabinho really is and there are no concerns that he won’t be back to his best for Friday.
Keown backs Gomez to oust Matip
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has written how he thinks Gomez should be the first choice partner for van Dijk, and backs the English youngster to bump Matip down the pecking order.
Gomez has the pace and confidence to be able to deal with counter-attacks launched against Liverpool if the full-backs find themselves high up the field, said Keown, and this gives him the advantage over Matip.
Hopefully the youngster can stay fit, because when he gets a good run of games under his belt he does look like a real prospect.