Anfield’s new era began with the best possible start as Liverpool ran out emphatic 4-1 winners over Premier League champions Leicester City.
In the first home game before the stadium’s super-sized Main Stand, Roberto Firmino raised the volume levels with an opening strike after less than 15 minutes played with a well-taken finish.
That advantage was doubled shortly after the half-hour mark when Daniel Sturridge linked up well with Sadio Mane to see the Reds’ summer signing send a chipped finished into Kasper Schmeichel’s net.
Jamie Vardy reduced the deficit just minutes later after he was gifted a previously unlikely lifeline after a poor pass from Lucas Leiva.
But after the break, Adam Lallana restored parity with a stunning close-range strike before Roberto Firmino added another in the final minutes.
Here were the main talking points from a new-look Anfield…
Reds must use new Anfield effect
Jurgen Klopp was unequivocal in his view that the extra 8,500 fans inside the new Main Stand must help generate an increased level of volume.
“The extra capacity only means something if we make it mean something”, the German warned in his programme notes.
At the first attempt, they did not disappoint with a vocality usually only reserved for the traditionally bigger games, atlhough a clinical rout over the reiging Premier League champions was ample motivation to raise the decibels.
Bouncing off the Anfield noise is something which once spurred Liverpool on to success; players and fans intertwined in one of the strongest of bonds.
It may become an invaluable asset should the pursuit of success match the heights of recent years.
Mane is only just getting started
Sadio Mane is already becoming an invaluable asset as the heartbeat of Klopp’s attacking options and delivered another man-of-the-match showing.
Building on his impressive opening day outing against Arsenal, the Senegal international has a remarkable skill in making even the sloppiest of passes appear almost refined.
Blessed with a pace which will give many a Premier League defence nightmares, he scored one and created another against the Foxes.
The standing ovation afforded to him as he made way for Alberto Moreno in stoppage time was fully deserved. Keep him fit and Liverpool’s possibilities this season will be endless.
Lucas’ deputising days look doomed
With Dejan Lovren ruled out by a nasty-looking eye bruise sustained during a clash in training the day before, the onus fell to Lucas to plug Liverpool’s defensive gap despite Ragnar Klavan’s place among the substitutes.
Given the Brazilian’s competent performance in Mamadou Sakho’s absence during last season’s unfortunate League Cup final defeat to Manchester City, it appeared to be a no-brainer.
Yet Vardy could not have asked for an easier goal to score after a blundering first-half error from the 29-year-old which gifted last season’s top scorer a wayward pass in the Kop’s penalty area.
One swallow does not make a summer and, similarly, Lucas shouldn’t be too harshly judged on a solitary lapse of in-game judgement but it will sow seeds of doubt about his long-term suitability there amid a wealth of midfield options.
Mignolet ready for Karius fight
When Simon Mignolet declared that he was ready to take on his closest challengers to become Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, it was taken with a slight pinch of salt.
But the Belgian looks set to make good on that promise if his gutsy performance in the line of fire against Leicester is a reliable barometer.
Vardy’s deficit reducer aside, he held his own against the England striker as well as team mate Robert Huth, who frequently made his presence felt.
A bloodied nose and a cut above the eye were Mignolet’s rewards for showing remarkable bravery against the robust German at regular second-half intervals.
Further test are likely to await him, not least Loris Karius’ return from injury and an unenviable Friday night trip to Chelsea in the next week but this was an encouraging sign.