Salah 9.5, Phillips 9, Costa 8: Liverpool v Leeds United player ratings

Jurgen Klopp's team had to dig deep for victory on Saturday

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  LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. Has he ever had a day like this before for Liverpool? Let in three, but was at fault for none. Getty

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  Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. Lax in letting in Harrison, but the right back could not have expected such razor sharp incision by Leeds. Very lucky not to concede an own goal, after Harrison was flagged offside. Reuters

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  Joe Gomez – 6. The England centre back was found wanting by Harrison’s brilliance for Leeds’ first goal back in the top flight. Getty

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  Virgil van Dijk – 7. Enjoyed the freedom of the penalty box for his headed goal, then was casual himself as his slip let in Bamford. Reuters

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  Andy Robertson – 7. Always threatening at set pieces, and picked up an assist from the corner kick for Van Dijk’s goal. Miscued an important late crossing chance. PA

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  Georginio Wijnaldum – 6. Denied a goal by a fine save by Meslier at the start of the second half, but he really should not have given the goalkeeper a chance. AFP

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  Jordan Henderson – 6. Had one solid drive in the first half, and did his best to keep up in the midfield frenzy as he works his way back to fitness. Getty

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  Naby Keita – 6. Usually so sprightly, even he struggled to keep pace with the frantic speed of the season opener, and gave way to Fabinho after 59 minutes. EPA

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  Mohamed Salah – 9.5. Didn’t mess about with his early penalty, or with his half-volley into the top corner shortly after. A constant menace, and dispatched the winner from the spot, too. Getty

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  Roberto Firmino – 6. Passed up an early chance in favour of a pull back to no-one. Some of his link up play with Salah and Mane was neat, but he was errant at times, too. Getty

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  Sadio Mane – 7. Struggled to get much change out of Ayling, but linked up well with his fellow forwards at times. EPA

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  SUBSTITUTES: Fabinho – 6. Initially struggled to get to the pace after coming on for Keita, but had a decisive influence when he won the late penalty. Getty

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  Curtis Jones – 5. On for Henderson, his most notable contribution came when his foul on Koch let to Van Dijk’s second goal being cancelled. Reuters

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  Joel Matip – NA, Introduced after Salah’s late penalty to try to bolt the door on Leeds’ valiant efforts. Getty

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  LEEDS UNITED RATINGS: Illan Meslier – 6. A limp attempt to keep out Van Dijk’s header. Looked remarkably confident playing out from dangerous positions, and made a steady block on Wijnaldum. Getty

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  Luke Ayling – 7. His loose back pass nearly set up another for Salah, but it would have been harsh had he been at fault given the shift he put in against Mane. Getty

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  Robin Koch – 4. Hellish start to his debut as his third minute handball gave away a penalty, and then he lost Van Dijk for the second. At least redeemed some of the damage by running down Mane in the second. Getty

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  Pascal Struijk – 6. A late call up for injured Liam Cooper, and he needs to work on his understanding with Koch on this evidence. AP

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  Stuart Dallas -7. Leeds might have got lucky for Bamford’s goal, but Dallas’ work in the build up was excellent. Getty

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  Kalvin Phillips – 9. Extraordinary range of passing, as shown by his sensational pass to free Harrison. When he wasn’t spraying those, he was doing his best to break up Liverpool attacks. AFP

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  Helder Costa – 8. Central to so much that was exciting. He had the ball in the goal in the first 10 minutes, but was offside. He had a shout for a penalty. Made one mazy dribble. Set up Klich’s goal. AFP

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  Pablo Hernandez – 6. Struggled to keep up with the whirlwind pace, as he was dispossessed cheaply in dangerous areas. Subbed just after the hour. Getty

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  Mateusz Klich – 8. Superb control and finish from Costa’s pass as Leeds' equalised for the third time in the game. Made a heroic block late from a Wijnaldum shot. Getty

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  Jack Harrison – 8. His wonder strike for the first goal of Leeds’ return to the top flight was the highlight, but the rest of his game was outstanding, too. EPA

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  Patrick Bamford – 7. Look flaky early on, but profited from a rare Van Dijk error to scoop in the second leveller for Leeds. Made way for their record signing in the second half. AFP

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  SUBSTITUTES: Tyler Roberts – 6. Added more industry to the Leeds effort, and made one brave block on Salah. PA

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  Rodrigo – 3. Terrible decision to go for a tackle on Fabinho. Gave away the penalty that cost Leeds the points. The second Leeds player to have a debut to forget. PA

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  Jamie Shackleton – NA. The academy product did not have enough time to make an impression after coming on as a late sub. File photo / Getty Images

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick as Liverpool started their Premier League title defence with a 4-3 win in a sensational opening day meeting with Leeds United at Anfield.

The Egyptian striker bookended the encounter with two crisp penalties, and hit a powerful drive into the top corner for this other goal.

Virgil van Dijk headed the home side’s other goal as he found himself unmarked from an Andy Robertson corner.

Defeat felt harsh on Leeds, who were courageous on their return to the top flight.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side equalised three times, starting with a wonderful strike from Jack Harrison.

Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klich also scored, but the visitors were ultimately undone when debutant Rodrigo’s 88th minute foul on Fabinho provided the penalty from which Salah scored the winner.

Player ratings from the match is in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.