Liverpool overcame a serious scare to claim their first Champions League win of the campaign in a seven-goal thriller at Anfield.
The Reds were in cruise control shortly before half- time as they race into a 3-0 lead via Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah goals.
Mane magnificently opened the scoring after a one-two with Roberto Firmino set him free to slot home against
Robertson then completed a stunning team move which he started as he finished from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pinpoint cross.
When Salah was gifted a third there looked to be only one winner – and Hwang Hee-chan’s excellent finish after cutting inside Virgil van Dijk after 39 minutes did little to change that outlook.
But Takumi Minamino volleyed in a superb strike after 56 minutes then Erling Braut Haaland tapped in just moments after coming on to stun Anfield at the hour mark.
At that stage it was Salzburg on the ascendancy – but Liverpool eventually settled and Salah reacted quickest to a flick in behind from Firmino to volley home what ultimately proved the winner.
After losing to Napoli in their opener, the defending European champions got their Group E tally off the mark on a dramatic evening which also saw Genk hold Napoli to a 0-0 draw in the other fixture.
Recap all the action as it happened below.
KEY EVENT
Full-time
Liverpool see it out.
They made hard work of it in the second half, but they’ve won a seven-goal thriller here at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah’s double the difference, with Andy Robertson and Sadio Mane also on the scoresheet.
Keita on
Keita on against his former club.
He replaces Salah, who looks set to be the matchwinner.
Will this be the winner?
(minutes left)
10 minutes plus added time remaining.
Liverpool look to have weathered the storm and Salzburg have seemingly run out of steam slightly since Salah’s goal.
Jurgen Klopp’s side would still like to put this one out of reach, though.
Final Salzburg change
Ashimeru on for Junuzovic in Salzburg’s final change.
Shot blocked
James Milner has a long range shot blocked and out for a corner.
Poor effort
Okugawa has space that opens up but he shoots straight at Adrian from the edge of the box.
Chance
Chance for Mane to give Liverpool breathing space.
He throws himself at Alexander-Arnold’s cross but cannot get there.
That was a chance.
Salzburg change
Okugawa on for Szoboszlai for Salzburg .
Salah to the rescue
Poor clearing header. Fabinho flicks it back into the danger zone, Firmino heads it on and Salah reacts quickest.
He flicks the bouncing ball beyond the keeper and normal service is resumed at Anfield.
Second change
Milner now on for Henderson for Liverpool.
Settled down
Game settled down slightly after that crazy spell.
A good cross by Robertson put behind for a corner as Anfield tries to rally their troops.
Madness
Liverpool change
Liverpool make the change – and it’s an aggressive one.
Origi replaces Wijnaldum.
He’s on the left side, with Mane out to the right and Firmino dropping in front of the midfield, it seems.
What is going on?
Seriously, what is going on at Anfield?
After a stunning opening 36 minutes, Liverpool were 3-0 up.
After an hour, it’s 3-3.
They’ve been stunned by Salzburg.
But there is still plenty of time left and this crazy game surely has plenty more twists ahead.
Goal!
Unbelievable!
It’s 3-3 at Anfield!
Haaland, the substitute, has leveled it.
He taps into an open net after Minamino gets in behind and squares for the striker.
Should be level!
What a chance!
Henderson dispossessed in a dangerous area, Hwang has space, threads it through to Szoboszlai, he takes too long and fires into the side netting.
Great opportunity for an equalizer.
Liverpool really on the ropes here.
What a strike
What a goal that is.
Hwang with the cross, volleyed hard into the ground and beyond Adrian by Minamino.
It’s suddenly 3-2 and Haaland has now come on for the visitors.
What a game we suddenly have on our hands here at Anfield.
Goal!
Goal!
Salzburg with a stunner and we have a real game on our hands at Anfield!
Timely challenge
Timely challenge from Gomez as Salzburg got in behind and the flag stayed down.
He needed to get that right.
Liverpool go on the break through Salah but Salzburg defend it well.
End to end stuff!
Close!
Wijnaldum close to a fourth for Liverpool after wonderful work from Mane.
The Senegalese ace got in behind, weaved around several Salzburg players and into the box before squaring to the Dutchman.
He fired just wide.
Chance
Salzburg have started this half brightly.
Smart move gives them space on the edge of the box but a tame shot goes wide.
Nervy!
Nervy moment from Adrian!
He tries to play a pass out to the full-back and it’s blocked by the striker.
Could’ve gone anywhere but goes harmlessly behind for a goal kick .
Another Salzburg goal would make things interesting …
Back underway!
Back underway at Anfield.
Haaland with a rigorous half-time warm-up …
Don’t see that often …
Just Virgil van Dijk being sent for a hot dog as Hwang fired in Salzburg’s goal.
You don’t see that very often …
KEY EVENT
Half-time
Liverpool lead 3-1 after an impressive first-half performance.
Salah’s gift
Robertson’s goal pictured
It seems a while ago now, but here’s Andy Robertson’s goal in pictures.
The Scot certainly enjoyed that one – and rightly so.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
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