Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side got their first Premier League season as champions off to a winning start on Saturday evening, just.
A Mo Salah hat-trick saw his side beat newly-promoted Leeds 4-3 in a thriller at Anfield.
The hosts went ahead after just 4 minutes of play via a penalty from the Egyptian striker.
The visitors pegged a goal back three times in the 90 minutes though and it took another Salah spot-kick in the 88th minute to see them beat Marcelo Bielsa's side.
Speaking after the game Klopp was quick to point out that he knew this wouldn't be an easy game and was keen to praise the Championship champions following their debut performance.
"How difficult the season will be we knew before the game. If it's a good example for the season this specific game I don't know because Leeds are special.
"Before the game and in the game everybody saw that obviously and I know how people are and that's fine and that's ok.
"Leeds performed outstandingly well, we respect them a lot.
"I knew they would cause us problems and on top of that we struggled in some defensive situations, obviously, that's why they scored.
"Apart from that, I'm really happy with the things we did with the ball because it was very difficult to play against them with the ball.
"The way they play and the way they defend and go into challenges is really good, and for 95 minutes.
"We played really well around these situations, four goals, maybe should have scored more because we had chances on top of that so I'm completly fine with the game offensively and defensively we can improve."
No doubt the man of the moment was 28-year-old Salah who has laid down a marker in terms of his intention to claim this season's Golden Boot while helping Liverpool retain the title.
The performance means Salah is the only Liverpool player ever to score in the opening fixture of the season in four successive seasons.
Klopp outlined his quality at full-time.
"He's a very special player.
"The numbers tell a story a little bit and today's a very good example.
"The performance was absolutely exceptional so he deserved the goals.
"He was constantly pressing and caused the opponent massive problems.
"With all the good performances Mo has had for us this was for sure one of the even better ones so he should be proud and it's very special to have these numbers.
"Long may it continue."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
