After a cagey start at the Emirates the 'game of the weekend' sparked into life in Arsenal's favour before Liverpool clicked into gear and ran out winners to pick up all three points.
Mane, Wijnaldum and Klavan were all handed their full LFC debuts, with the likes of Manninger, Grujic and Matip named on the bench.
The most spectacular thing about the opening 30 minutes was the summer sunshine - neither side enjoying a great start. The game changed when Arsenal were awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge by Moreno. Slow-motion replays showed he got the faintest of touches to the ball first but sadly he took plenty of the man too to sway the referee.
Walcott stepped up for the penalty, but Mignolet in his 150th Liverpool appearance saved from the spot.
Jubilation? It wouldn't last.
Within a minute Walcott had scored to make it 1-0. Adam Lallana had been dispossessed in midfield and a pass fed to Walcott. Moreno wasn't there; he'd started on a run up the pitch and Walcott fired in.
As the first half ticked down into the 2nd minute of injury time the reds were awarded a free kick and from just under 30 yards, Coutinho opened Liverpool's account for the season.
It is amazingly his first free kick goal for Liverpool in the League - and it curled beautifully into the left hand side of the goal - Cech beaten.
Within 3 minutes of the second half restart Liverpool were purring.
Lallana made it 2-1 after a fine move, and a good cross by new signing Wijnadum. Lallana had to chest down before firing in from a tight angle.
Moments later it was 3-1. Coutinho adding his second of the game turning in a cross from a touchline-hugging Nathaniel Clyne.
There was more goals to arrive. Sadio Mane putting the finishing touches to a period of Liverpool domination - scoring on his debut and making it 4-1.
Mane debut goal for Liverpool
4-1 MANEEEEEE pic.twitter.com/a6eVj4ZQEO
— Liverpool Gifs (@LiverpoolGifs) 14 August 2016
But if you thought 4-1 was safe for Liverpool - think again.
Oxlade Chamberlain scored Arsenal's second and with 15 minutes remaining Chambers scored their third. 4-3 to Liverpool - could the away side hold on?
By now Coutinho and Lallana had gone off, replaced by Emre Can and Divock Origi.
Arsenal looked spent and the arrival of Origi stretched the Gunners in the closing periods. Despite five minutes of injury time the reds held on for a valuable three points.
A good start for Liverpool who now face another two away games - Burnley the opposition next Saturday.
