Premier League news - matchweek 1

Manchester United, Liverpool, Hull City, and Manchester City at top of EPL Table going into MatchWeek 2

Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho was the star of the match with two goals and an assist as the Reds edged Arsenal 4-3 in a memorable classic match at the Emirates. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side looked fit and ready to move up to the top tier of the England Premier League as they came from behind to thump Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal 4-3 in a thrilling season opening game to the finish at the Emirates Stadium in north London on Sunday’s Match-day 1 of the 2016-2017 EPL season.

On the other hand, the Gunners began their Premier League campaign on the wrong end of the seven-goal thriller. Arsenal’s Theo Walcott missed a penalty but made amends by opening the scoring with a goal from Alex Iwobi’s pass. Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho scored the equalizer with a stunning 30-yard free-kick in first-half stoppage time. Liverpool dominated after the break as Adam Lallana, Coutinho and Sadio Mane on his Premier League debut scored 4 goals in 18 stunning minutes as the Reds roared into a 4-1 lead.

Sub Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain provided a fine solo effort for Arsenal, and Calum Chambers headed in Santi Cazorla’s free-kick to keep the Gunner fans hopes alive for a grandstand win. Arsenal fought hard for a fourth, but Liverpool held on to their lead starting the season with a victory on the new Emirates Stadium pitch. Rob Holding made his Premier League debut for Arsenal is part of the heart of Arsenal defense with Chambers with new captain Per Mertesacker, Gabriel and Laurent Koscielny all unavailable for the match.

Wenger’s high profile summer signing, Granit Xhaka, started on the bench. Mohamed Elneny joined Francis Coquelin in midfield. Alexis fought as center forward with Theo Walcott replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal began the match with intensity with early touches from Walcott, Alexis, and Iwobi. Wales star Aaron Ramsey continued his innovative and energetic Euro 2016 form in the match in the No 10 role. Arsenal’s captain Petr Cech let in 4 goals. Arsenal dominated most of the first half, but soon into the second half were faced with a loss to start their campaign as Liverpool stepped up their game.

Fans from both clubs enjoyed the exhilarating classic clash. Liverpool side looks like it’s gearing up to give the other giant EPL clubs a run for their money this season - and strike fear into the hearts of the opposition. Xhaka came on and made his debut with Arsenal, however the Gunners had too much damage done to them for Xhaka to repair. For the fifth time in six years, Arsenal lost an opening-day match.

Liverpool goals

• Phillippe Coutinho 46
• Adam Lallana 49
• Phillippe Coutinho 56
• Sadio Mane 63

Arsenal goals

• Theo Walcott 31
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 64
• Calum Chambers 75

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was shocked about how well Liverpool played. "We lacked experience at the back and we were physically short. Liverpool did well and we were for 15 minutes completely shocked,” said Wenger. “We pushed players today like Aaron Ramsey. It is an impossible situation to get players back from the Euros and prepare.” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was excited with his first win of the EPL season. "I played a big part in the excitement of the last half-hour, because it's not allowed to celebrate the fourth goal like this with 35 minutes to go,” said Klopp. "At this moment, we switched off the machines. The game was not over. Arsenal lost, but we gave them a path back into the game. Nothing is sure until the final whistle. Over the whole of the 90 minutes it was a deserved win. We can always score goals and we can defend much better. It's the Premier League and nothing should be easy in this league. Nothing is easy."

Reportedly FC Liverpool rejected an offer worth £30m from Crystal Palace for twenty-five-year-old striker Christian Benteke. The bid of £23m up front plus £7m in add-ons follows a previous offer of £25m, which was also turned down. Benteke seems out of favour at Liverpool since boss Jurgen Klopp took over last October, and started in only eight league games. Benteke was hired by the Reds for £32.5m in July 2015 by former boss Brendan Rodgers and has scored 10 goals since then. Benteke indicated he may seek to leave the Reds.

Twenty-four-year-old Senegal Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is a doubt for Saturday's clash at Burnley after suffering a muscle injury in training today at Melwood. Early reports on Wednesday suggested Mane might have dislocated his shoulder. Mane signed from Southampton this summer for £34m, and scored on his Liverpool league debut during Sunday's 4-3 win against Arsenal. Arsenal face Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday at 17:30 BST at the King Power Stadium; while Liverpool are away at Burnley with the game kicking off at 15:00 BST.

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EPL Week 1 Results
Hull City 2-1 Leicester City
Sunderland 1-2 Manchester City
Burnley 0-1 Swansea City
Crystal Palace 0-1 West Brom Albion
Everton 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton 1-1 Watford
Manchester City 2-1 Sunderland
Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester United
Arsenal 1-4 Liverpool
Middlesborough 1-1 Stoke City

Premier League Table Week 1

1. Manchester United
2. FC Liverpool
3. Hull City
4. Manchester City
5. Swansea City
6. West Bromwich Albion
7. Everton
8. Middlesbrough
9. Southampton
10. Stoke City
11. Tottenham Hotspur
12. Watford
13. Chelsea
14. West Ham
15. Arsenal
16. Leicester City
17. Sunderland
18. Burnley
19. Crystal Palace
20. Bournemouth

There are some not-to-be-missed fixtures coming up in Match-Week 2 as Manchester United host Southampton on August 19 in their first home game at Old Trafford featuring celebrity striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, skipper Wayne Rooney, and Paul Pogba who is expected to make his debut for Red Devil’s boss Jose Mourniho. United travel to play their old arch rivals Chelsea on October 23 at Stamford Bridge in London.

Manchester United v Southampton Tickets
Liverpool v Manchester United Tickets
Chelsea v Manchester United Tickets
Manchester United v Everton Tickets

In other popular 2016-2017 matches, Arsenal play Southampton, Chelsea, Swansea City, West Brom Albion, and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium in London.

Arsenal v Southampton Tickets
Arsenal v Chelsea Tickets
Arsenal v Swansea City Tickets
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion Tickets
Arsenal v Crystal Palace Tickets