3 things we learned from Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Arsenal

It’s not often that the best game of the Premier League season happens in the first week, but we might look back on Sunday’s match between Arsenal and Liverpool as just that. There were seven goals between them, as Liverpool took an important 4-3 win away from Emirates Stadium.

While connections weren’t coming easily in the final third for either side, it was clear early on that both teams had better attacking ideas than defensive organization. And the game finally opened up in the 28th minute, when Theo Walcott was hauled down in the box by Alberto Moreno. Walcott’s penalty was saved by Simon Mignolet, but the Reds worked the ball back into the same area immediately afterwards and found their goal. Off a turnover by Adam Lallana, Alex Iwobi found Walcott behind Moreno with a diagonal, and Walcott finished for the game’s first goal.

Liverpool drew level just before halftime though, thanks to a brilliant free kick by Philippe Coutinho. He drew it from 25 yards out on Rob Holding, then converted it himself with a goal of the week candidate.

Buoyed by that equalizer, Liverpool came out with energy in the second half and quickly took control of the match. Coutinho set up his team’s second goal with a ball into the box for Georgino Wijnaldum. He moved it along to Lallana, who placed an impressive finish past Petr Cech from a narrow angle in the 49th minute. Coutinho grabbed his second goal in the 56th minute, redirecting a low cross by Nathaniel Clyne into the back of the net.

Sadio Mane’s 63rd-minute goal appeared to put the game beyond reach, though it turned out to be the winner in a one-goal game. It was an exceptional individual effort -- he picked up the ball from Lallana 40 yards from goal and went on a spectacular slalom run, beating three defenders before blasting the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The injury bug bit both teams around the hour mark. Coutinho, Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey were all forced to exit the game with knocks around that period.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was Iwobi’s replacement, and he got Arsenal back into the game with an excellent individual effort in the 64th minute that looked similar to Sane’s. And 10 minutes later, Ramsey’s replacement -- Santi Cazorla -- set up Arsenal’s second with a gorgeous free kick that found the head of Calum Chambers.

Jürgen Klopp got his team to tighten up after that, though. While Arsenal continued to attack in the final 15 minutes, they couldn’t force Mignolet into any difficult saves, and the Reds held on for a big away win.

Goals: Walcott (pen miss 30’, 31’), Oxlade-Chamberlain (64’), Chambers (75’)

Goals: Coutinho (45’, 56’), Lallana (49’), Mane (63’)

1. Philippe Coutinho was the game’s superstar -- He wasn’t great during his first 30 minutes, but Coutinho came alive to take over the game. His free kick completely changed the complexion of the match, and then he took over the second half, playing the extremely important and impressive hockey assist on the go-ahead goal and scoring the third with a late run into the box. Maybe this is the year he finally fulfills all of his potential.

2. Alex Iwobi wasn’t a flash in the pan -- When Iwobi came out of nowhere to become one of Arsenal’s top players at the end of last season, no one was quite sure if he could maintain his form. And while it’s still impossible to tell after one game -- especially since he looked like he was carrying a knock when he was subbed off -- it’s clear that Iwobi wasn’t a fluke. Not only is he an incredible physical talent and solid technically, but his vision and decision-making are great, too. He was Arsenal’s best attacking player in the first half.

3. This was a blessing in disguise for Arsenal -- Over the last decade, Arsenal fans have seen the same pattern emerge with young players and the transfer market. Step 1: a key senior player is sold or injured. Step 2: a young backup steps into their place and does a decent job. Step 3: Arsene Wenger decides he doesn’t need to buy anyone. This could have happened with Rob Holding and Calum Chambers, but thankfully for Gooners, the young, makeshift central defense pair defended poorly. Arsenal might just pay Shkrodan Mustafi’s release clause on Monday.