Coutinho scores twice, Liverpool holds on to top Arsenal

Philippe Coutinho inspired Liverpool to a memorable 4-3 victory over Arsenal with two goals in this opening weekend encounter.

Arsenal went ahead in the first half when Theo Walcott fired home a low effort moments after missing a penalty, but Coutinho stepped up to lash home a free kick just before the break. Adam Lallana finished off a flowing team move to put Liverpool ahead in the opening minutes of the second period, with Coutinho adding a close-range goal shortly after. Sadio Mane scored a great solo goal to give Liverpool a 4-1 advantage, only to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain score a similar effort within moments of the restart to give Arsenal a hint of hope.

Calum Chambers then nodded home a Santi Cazorla free kick in the 75th minute to pull Arsenal within 4-3 and set up a grandstand finish, but Liverpool were able to hold on for their first points of the season.

Both sides lost players to injury, with Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey and Coutinho leaving the field for medical attention, though neither looked serious.

Arsene Wenger will have a lot to think about following this game, while Jurgen Klopp still needs to address some issues in his defence.