Roberto Firmino started Liverpool’s Champions League campaign with a bang in a 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

Last season’s finalists found themselves ahead on the half-hour mark when Daniel Sturridge rose highest to head hope against the Ligue 1 champions.

A James Milner penalty, after Georginio Wijnaldum was brought down by Juan Bernat, extended the upper hand for Jurgen Klopp’s side in the first half.

Thomas Meunier brought the visitors back into the game five minutes before the break before Kylian Mbappe struck an equaliser in the 83rd minute.

However, the Reds clinched victory in stoppage time as substitute Firmino earned himself space inside the PSG box and fired low into the corner.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Reds are back among Euro equals

 

Heartbreak in Kiev showed how far Liverpool had to go to match Europe’s elite.

Three months and 24 days on from their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, the Reds showed that the gap has closed considerably.

Against one of this season’s favourites in Paris Saint-Germain, they demonstrated they have everything about them to compete with the best.

Les Parisiens’ front three of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani were played into obscurity by another strong showing from Liverpool’s defence.

Only a mistake from Virgil van Dijk allowed Mbappe to pull the visitors level.

The midfield trio that started that Champions League final controlled the game throughout, leaving Adrien Rabiot and his teammates struggling to get a foothold in the game.

Across the pitch, Liverpool were better man for man. This five-goal thriller showed that a place in a supposed Group of Death does not faze them at all.

Klopp spells out ‘no’ to Neville

 

It’s fair to say that Gary Neville was met with plenty of ridicule when he suggested Liverpool should forsake the Champions League this season.

Such is the desperation for a Premier League title some around Anfield would have been inclined to quietly agree with the former Manchester United man.

Not Jurgen Klopp or his team, though. Another barnstorming continental night at Anfield proved they and Neville do not share a similar mindset.

From the outset, Liverpool showed that they will be going full tilt regardless of the competition. Saturday’s visit of Southampton could not have been further from their minds.

Once again, the hosts served up heavy-metal football and it resulted in them producing a performance and a victory that will be long remembered.

Regardless of a presumed title challenge, it seems there will be no half-measures in Europe.

Trent maintains right-back grasp

 

Liverpool’s Champions League run catapulted Trent Alexander-Arnold into the limelight and it is the same competition where his star continues to shine.

Most 19-year-olds would dread the prospect of facing Neymar. Not this one; it was just another day at the office for the prodigious West Derby teenager.

If the Selecao star has endured quieter nights in his career, it is hard to remember them. But Alexander-Arnold’s focus was not solely on keeping him quiet.

Aside from dominating defensively, he consistently provided a much-needed attacking outlet that his teammates were more than happy to utilise.

He was more akin to a right-winger than right-back, bombing down the flank and regularly caused PSG problems delivering quality balls into the box.

Daniel Sturridge certainly should have profited from one in the second half.

This performance was the latest in a growing list of exceptional displays for a player who has undoubtedly claimed the right side of defence as his own.

Vintage Milner continues to improve

 

They say you get better with age and James Milner is currently living proof.

With the arrival of Naby Keita and Fabinho this summer, the 32-year-old would have been expecting a reduced role in Liverpool’s team this season.

Instead, he has become an increasingly key player for Klopp.

Against PSG, he was ubiquitous, breaking up attacking moves at one end before setting up Liverpool attacks at the other with his fine range of passing.

In the Reds midfield, he proved to be the star man; providing the energy, drive and nous that set them on their way to victory.

The fact that Keita, who has so far shone at Anfield, was barely missed is a testament to the Milner’s impressive performance.

Like a fine wine, he is only to get better with the passing of time.