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Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp's side hold on to secure thrilling win

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Philippe Coutinho celebrates after scoring the equalising goal
Image: Philippe Coutinho celebrates after scoring the equalising goal

Liverpool resisted a late Arsenal fightback to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's side started brightly and they were rewarded in the 29th minute with a penalty after Alberto Moreno brought down Theo Walcott, but the England international saw his spot-kick saved.

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Highlights from Emirates Stadium as Arsenal faced Liverpool in their opening match of the season

He made amends just 68 seconds later, drilling a low effort into the far corner to hand the hosts the lead, but Philippe Coutinho's superb free-kick levelled proceedings in first-half stoppage time, before goals from Adam Lallana (49), another from Coutinho (59) and a stunning solo effort from Sadio Mane (63) turned the match on its head.

Arsenal responded a minute later through substitute Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain before Calum Chambers' header cut the deficit once more with 15 minutes remaining, but it was Jurgen Klopp's side who held on to secure a deserved victory on a breathless afternoon in north London.

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Jamie Redknapp brings you his round-up of all the action at the Emirates Stadium

With Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel all absent, Wenger handed summer signing Rob Holding his Premier League debut alongside Chambers at the heart of Arsenal's defence and the inexperienced duo were hardly tested in the opening stages as Arsenal dominated the ball.

Alexis Sanchez, starting in attack in the absence of Olivier Giroud, was involved early, flicking the ball off for Aaron Ramsey in the box but the Wales international could only poke his shot straight at Simon Mignolet.

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he was blown away by the intensity of their win over Arsenal

Ramsey, playing in the more advanced role he performed so well in for Wales during Euro 2016, was becoming more and more influential, latching onto Alberto Moreno's poor headed clearance but the Spanish full-back recovered with a sliding tackle.

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Moreno was in the thick of the action again in the 29th minute but this time he was punished for another rash tackle, lunging in and catching Walcott just inside the penalty area.

Sadio Mane celebrates with manager Jurgen Klopp after scoring Liverpool's fourth goal
Image: Sadio Mane celebrates with manager Jurgen Klopp after scoring Liverpool's fourth goal

It left referee Michael Oliver with no choice but to point to the spot. Up stepped Walcott, but Mignolet, diving to his right, palmed the ball away to safety to keep the scores level.

Just over a minute later, though, the Gunners were in front and it was a moment of redemption for Walcott, who made amends for his penalty miss, drilling a low right-footed shot into the far corner after being picked out by Alex Iwobi.

Sadio Mano scores Liverpool's fourth goal
Image: Mane scores Liverpool's fourth goal in style

It was no more than Wenger's men deserved for their dominance but the scores should have been level when Georginio Wijnaldum latched onto Coutinho's cut back, only to pick out Petr Cech with a rather tame effort.

They were level though in injury time at the end of the first half and it was a moment of magic from Coutinho, who curled a free-kick from 30 yards over the wall and into the top corner.

Theo Walcott misses from the penalty spot
Image: Theo Walcott missed from the penalty spot

The turnaround was complete immediately after the break when Lallana brought down Wijnaldum's cross before firing a low finish past Cech and into the net.

Whatever Klopp said to his players at the break seemed to work and they extended their advantage in the 56th minute with Coutinho converting Nathaniel Clyne's low cross.

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Reaction from Adam Lallana and man of the match Philippe Coutinho

Arsenal responded by bringing on Oxlade-Chamberlain in place of the injured Iwobi and Santi Cazorla for Ramsey, who also appeared to pick up a knock, but Liverpool continued to pile forward with pace.

And it was four in the 63rd minute as Mane outran Chambers before cutting inside and brilliantly picking out the top corner with a left-foot shot.

Adam Lallana Liverpool's second goal
Image: Adam Lallana finished neatly for Liverpool's second

The action wasn't finished there as Oxlade-Chamberlain's deflected shot sneaked past Mignolet , before the hosts cut the deficit again as Chambers glanced Cazorla's free-kick past the dive and Mignolet into the far corner to breathe life into the comeback with 15 minutes remaining.

But Liverpool, who went close through Firmino in the closing stages, held on for a memorable victory.

Chambers makes it Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool
Image: Chambers made it Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool

Player ratings

Arsenal: Cech (6), Bellerin (6), Holding (6), Chambers (6), Monreal (6), Coquelin (6), Ramsey (7), Walcott (6), Alexis Sanchez (6), Iwobi (6).

Subs used: Oxlade-Chamberlain (5), Cazorla (6), Xhaka (5).

Theo Walcott scores the opening goal of the maych for Arsenal
Image: Theo Walcott scored the opening goal of the match for Arsenal

Liverpool: Mignolet (6), Clyne (7), Klavan (6), Lovren (6), Moreno (5), Wijnaldum (7), Henderson (6), Lallana (7), Coutinho (8), Mane (7), Firmino (7).

Subs used: Can (6), Origi (5), Stewart (N/A).

Man of the Match: Philippe Coutinho

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