Arsenal defeated Liverpool on penalties as they kicked off the 2020-21 campaign in the Community Shield at Wembley.
The game ended 1-1 after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring before Takumi Minamino's equaliser, but it was Mikel Arteta's men who emerged victorious in the shootout.
Here's our verdict on the displays of both sets of players.
Arsenal (3-4-3)
Emi Martinez 7
Justified his selection ahead of fit again Bernd Leno with a commanding display including a great save from Mane.
Rob Holding 5
Linked with a move to Newcastle United pre-match and looked unsettled early on. Struggled against Mane. Not as good as usual.
David Luiz 7
From joker in the lack to leader of the pack in the space of a few months.
Kieran Tierney 7
Strong and decisive in defence and dangerous going forward.
Hector Bellerin 6
Faded after an excellent start and replaced with half an hour to go.
Mohamed Elneny 6
A first appearance in over a year after a season out on loan. Did not put a foot wrong.
Granit Xhaka 6
Disciplined and helped Arsenal keep their shape in the face of relentless Liverpool possession
Ainsley Maitland-Niles 7
Increasingly important player for Arteta in big games. No wonder he is wanted by rival clubs.
Bukayo Saka 7
From a left-back to a right-sided forward, the youngster again showed his versatility in the absence of Nicolas Pepe and Willian.
Eddie Nketiah 6
If only he could finish as well as he plays the rest of his football
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 8
Top marks worthy for his goal alone. Is there a better striker in the Premier League today?
Substitutes
Cedric Soares (replaced Bellerin after 68 mins)
Joe Willock (replaced Bukayo Saka 83)
Reiss Nelson (replaced Nketiah 83)
Sead Kolasinac (replaced Tierney 83)
Liverpool (4-3-3)
Alisson 6
Recovered well from shock of conceding Aubameyang wonder goal. Good stop from Nketiah.
Neco Williams 5
Klopp said he has to learn to play well on the biggest stages. Not his best defensive performance, but great going forward.
Joe Gomez 6
Unsettled by the busy Eddie Nketiah and roaming Aubameyang, but improved with rest of team-mates.
Virgil van Dijk 7
Still the best defender in the game and his long range passing was a joy.
Andrew Robertson 7
Grew into the game after struggling initially to emerge as one of Liverpool's better players.
Georginio Wijnaldum 5
Worked hard but struggled to make a major impact at a time when he is being linked to Barcelona.
Fabinho 6
Started well, but not as dominant as Liverpool needed him to be at times.
James Milner 6
Versatile, reliable, consistency personified. Looks set for another important season.
Mo Salah 6
A tidy haircut to match a tidy performance without hitting the heights he is capable of.
Firmino 5
Solid, if unspectacular, but Liverpool needed something more dynamic.
Sadio Mane 6
The liveliest of Liverpool's front free and a constant worry to Arsenal defenders Bellerin and Holding.
Substitutes
Takumi Minamino (replaced Williams after 59 minutes and took his chance well).
Naby Keita (replaced Milner after 59 minutes and did well enough)
Curtis Jones (replaced Firmino 83)
SEE ALSO | Monkey Issues Make Liverpool Cut Sponsorship Ties
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago