Liverpool laid down an early marker for the new season with a rousing Community Shield victory over Manchester City on Saturday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and new signing Darwin Nunez all notched as the Reds earned a 3-1 triumph. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side have now won every domestic honour available to them during his tenure.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at the King Power Stadium.
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Nunez not impressed
Whether it be the back of the net, the hand of Ruben Dias or Ederson's face, Darwin Nunez made a huge impact when coming off the bench for the final half-hour. And there was no doubting his hunger for victory.
When referee Craig Pawson waved away initial claims for a penalty after the block by Dias, Nunez went sprinting at full pelt for a good 40 yards towards the official before telling him in no uncertain terms that perhaps there had been an offence worthy of punishment mere seconds earlier.
VAR did Pawson a solid, the whistlesmith then consulting the pitchside monitor and giving the spot kick. At least there can be few questions about Nunez's pace.
Ha-ha-Haaland
Erling Haaland is going to score goals for Manchester City. An awful lot of goals. And if Pep Guardiola's side succeed this season, the Norwegian will have been integral.
However, it simply wasn't Haaland's day at Leicester, City struggling to play the forward into the game, who was then guilty of trying a bit too hard and snatched at the rare openings that came his way.
There was no excuse, though, for the injury-time miss when he hit the bar from six yards with the goal gaping. When the boob was replayed on the big screen inside the stadium moments later, it prompted huge cheers and laughter from the Liverpool end. Oh dear.
Adrian awry
They ended up resounding victors, but it didn't go entirely swimmingly for Liverpool. During the first half, there were a few hairy moments when Adrian's wayward kicking put the Reds into trouble.
One such moment ended with Virgil van Dijk turning to his goalkeeper to exchange a few words over the wisdom of his pass selection.
They were all smiles at the end, though, not least when Adrian ran the full length of the pitch to join in the celebrations after Nunez's goal sealed the win. Whatever Alisson Becker can do...
Cheeky Virgil
Mind you, Van Dijk was the one prompting outrage among the City players towards the end with a little bit of gamesmanship.
After Mohamed Salah rattled home from the spot to regain Liverpool's lead, the defender intercepted Ederson's attempt to find Haaland on the centre spot to quickly restart the game and booted it into the jubilant travelling Kop.
Cue a gaggle of City players hounding referee Pawson in an attempt to get Van Dijk booked. Not this time, boys.
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