Liverpool were faced with their first big test of the Premier League season and passed with flying colours.
Four different scorers putting 4 past Arsenal, and it probably should have been more.
One point separated the two sides in last season's Premier League - but Liverpool looked light years ahead of the Gunners today.
The pre-match talk was all about Simon Mignolet being 'rested' for Loris Karius - Klopp having to defend his decision. Nobody was talking about that after the game - as the reds recorded a clean sheet. Not that Karius had much to do - the reds were immense.
With Phil Coutinho still sitting on his hands the question may now be - does he get back in the team. Firmino (1st goal), Mane (2nd goal) and Salah (3rd goal) are forming quite a partnership.
And even Daniel Sturridge came off the bench and had some fun (4th goal!).
Team
Starting XI: Karius, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah, Firmino.
Subs: Ward, Klavan, Alexander-Arnold, Grujic, Milner, Solanke, Sturridge.
The midweek win over Hoffenheim didn't affect team selection much although 18 year old Alexander-Arnold moved to the bench, with Joe Gomez coming in. In goal Loris Karius replaced Simon Mignolet who was suited and booted looking on from the crowd.
The reds started from the first whistle - looking full of energy and running. Emre Can nearly got the goals rolling in the 5th minute in a move that begin with a flick from Salah to Mane. The ball made it's way to Moreno who whipped in a delightful cross that Emre Can headed narrowly wide.
And then Petr Cech produced a fine reflex stop when Emre Can's pass to the far post took out 7 Arsenal players inside the box - but Salah was too close to goal to direct it at an angle and Cech kept the game goalless.
The breakthrough arrived when the other wing-back, Joe Gomez, sent his cross over and Roberto Firmino headed home to give the reds a deserved lead.
Wijnaldum was getting involved now - he ran rampant through the Arsenal midfield but Sadio Mane's resulting shot went wide.
In the 40th minute the reds doubled the lead.
A quick move from the reds, Firmino found Mane on the left wing and he sent a curling shot into the far corner - beyond the reach of the Arsenal keeper. 2-0 really was the minimum the reds deserved at half time.
Second half - a formation shift from Wenger but it didn't help them.
Mohammed Salah won the ball back inside his own half and ran down the other side of the pitch and slotted past Cech - no more than he deserved as he had been a constant danger for the reds with a couple of chances already having gone begging.
Sadio Mane went off to a standing ovation and on came Daniel Sturridge and now it was Salah's turn to be the provider. His pinpoint cross to the back post was greedily pounced on by Sturridge who headed in for Liverpool's 4th and jubilation from the supporters.
The reds end for the international break after an improving five game run. They are inside the top four and have qualified for the Champions League in these opening few weeks of the season.
After the break we travel to Man City before the Champions League group stages get underway.
Coutinho is not missed at all. All that remains this wrrk is to screw Barcelona with an upfrony paymeent of £135m for the not needed Coutinho. It is obvious the team is gelling nicely without this guy and we will never get such an incredibly over-rated price for this s**t again. It would be insane not to take Barcelona to the cleaners over this one!!
Great word bro. Coutinho must be ashamed of himself by now. We qualified for Champions League without him and we are smashing teams without him. He’s lost his place as a fans’ favorite. Salah, firmino and mane are the fan’s favorite! YNWA!!!