Liverpool enjoyed a thrilling start to the new Premier League season with a breathless seven-goal encounter against Arsenal.

Theo Walcott opened the scoring for the hosts, after earlier missing a penalty, before Philippe Coutinho evened things up in first-half stoppage time.

The Brazilian struck again after the break either side of goals from Adam Lallana and summer signing Sadio Mane had put the Reds further ahead.

Arsenal’s response was to fire two goals in 11 minutes through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Callum Chambers to set up a tense finale for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Here were the main talking points from the Emirates Stadium…

Best is yet to come from Mane

Liverpool’s recruitment of Sadio Mane this summer saw the inevitable derision about boosting Southampton’s economy surfacing once more.

But while the likes of Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren took time to come good for the Reds, Mane looks set to pay off handsomely for Jurgen Klopp.

The Liverpool manager saw what the Senegal international was capable of following last season’s two encounters with the forward and he continued that theme as Arsenal’s defence were regularly run ragged by his bursts of pace and quick-footed trickery.

But Klopp still sees room for improvement with an assessment that ‘he can do better’, hinting that Mane will become an invaluable asset for Liverpool this season.

Moreno underlines need for new left-back

Question marks existed over Alberto Moreno’s suitability even before his calamitous performance cost Liverpool last season’s Europa League final.

Klopp was almost left counting the cost at the Emirates too after the Spaniard’s lunge on Theo Walcott gifted Arsenal an early chance to take the lead.

Simon Mignolet spared Moreno’s blushes by saving the ensuing spot kick but more blunders followed as he gifted Aaron Ramsey with a weak headed clearance.

Liverpool have remained in the market for a left-back this summer but to no avail as Jonas Hector and Ben Chilwell both opted to stay put at their respective clubs.

But the hunt for Moreno’s replacement must continue before the transfer window closes later this month – Klopp simply cannot afford such liabilities in his side.

Coutinho threatens another banner season

If Mane was worth £30 million to Liverpool, Philippe Coutinho’s value must be estimated at close to priceless.

Season in and out, Anfield’s little magician continues to surpass expectations and opened his account at the Emirates with an impressive brace.

With ability to both unlock defences and conjure up moments of brilliance from virtually nothing is set to prove an invaluable asset once more.

Discount the Brazilian retaining the club’s player of the year accolade – and vying for the Premier League’s general honours – at your peril.

Still work to do for Klopp

Klopp had previously hailed this Liverpool side as one fashioned in his own image, but the pursuit of perfection is a never-ending pursuit as events in the capital proved.

Moreno aside, the defensive set-up remains far too easy for opponents to breach, as Arsenal proved both against the run of play or from set pieces.

Whether the presence of Mamadou Sakho or substitute Joel Matip alongside Lovren may have shored up its organisation more than Ragnar Klavan remains subject to conjecture.

Deploying Jordan Henderson as a makeshift holding midfielder, with Emre Can lacking match fitness and Lucas Leiva injured, illustrated a current lack of depth.

Maximum points on the board is an undoubted positive but on this evidence there is still work to do if Liverpool are to show their true top four credentials.