Mohamed Salah bagged the first hat-trick of the 2020/2021 Premier League as Liverpool edged newly promoted Leeds United 4-3 at Anfield.
Salah is the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick on matchday one of a league season since John Aldridge against Charlton in 1988-89.
Salah opened scoring for Liverpool in the 4th minute from the penalty spot after handball by Robin Koch.
In the 12th minute Leeds equalised through Jack Harrison who cut inside and powered the ball into the bottom corner.
Eight minutes after Leeds equaliser Liverpool went 2-1 ahead as Virgil van Dijk restored their lead, thumping in an Andrew Robertson corner.
With 15 minutes remaining in the first half Patrick Bamford drew Leeds level after picking up a loose ball and tucked it into the far corner.
For the third time in the game Liverpool took the lead as Salah grabbed his second goal on 33 minutes, as the ball fell to him on the edge of the box and he smashed it into the roof of the net.
In the 63rd minute Leeds levelled the score at 3-3 thanks to Mateusz Klich who controlled the ball beautifully before smacking it beyond Alisson.
But with two minutes remaining in the game Salah won the game for the Reds as he completed his hat-trick, slamming his penalty in following a foul on Fabinho.
The win move Liverpool to second in second place, usurping Crystal Palace in the league table.
By James Agberebi
