Liverpool and Arsenal start the new season of the English Premier League with victories

The first Saturday of the Premier League season saw victories for Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as records for the goal-scoring Mohamed Salah and the enduring James Milner.

Liverpool's new era under Arne Slot began with a 2-0 win over newly promoted Ipswich, with Salah scoring the second goal to take his tally of goals in the first round of a Premier League season to nine – breaking a tie with English football greats Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Frank Lampard.

Arsenal, runners-up in the league for the past two seasons, also won 2-0 at home against Wolverhampton thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.

Liverpool and Arsenal are seen as the biggest rivals for champions Manchester City, who are seeking a fifth consecutive English league title. City begin their title defence at Chelsea on Sunday after Manchester United opened the season with a 1-0 win over Fulham on Friday.

In other games on Saturday, Newcastle overcame a 28th-minute red card for Fabian Schar for a headbutt to beat Southampton 1-0 through a goal from Joelinton. Everton also had a player sent off in their 3-0 home defeat to Brighton, Ashley Young.

Brighton's team featured James Milner, who at 38 was starting his 23rd Premier League season, beating the record of 22 games he shared with Man United legend Ryan Giggs. Milner is seven years older than his manager Fabian Hurzeler, who made a successful start to the English football world after joining from German club St. Pauli. On his record day he played 82 minutes.

Aston Villa beat West Ham 2-1 and Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Bournemouth. In that game, Forest midfielder Danilo suffered a broken ankle after landing awkwardly in an aerial challenge. Shields were placed around the Brazilian while he received treatment.

Ipswich's most famous fan, pop star Ed Sheeran, cheered the team on against Liverpool from a VIP box at Portman Road, just days after he bought a small share in the club.

This is Ipswich's first season in the top flight since 2002 and they are sure to be entertaining, although their open, expansive style of play means they may concede a lot of goals.

Salah set up Diogo Jota's first goal in the 60th minute and then scored from close range in the 65th minute. Liverpool improved after a slow first half in their first competitive game under Slot, who replaced long-serving manager Jürgen Klopp in the off-season.

Saka was one of a number of top stars who quickly returned to action after taking part in international tournaments over the summer, either Euro 2024 or the Copa America.

The English winger was quick to get going, crossing for Havertz to head home in the 25th minute, and then scored himself in the 74th minute, cutting inside and firing into the near post from the edge of the box.

Arsenal were grateful to goalkeeper David Raya, who made three impressive saves to keep the league's best defence clean last season, while Havertz was at the centre of an incident in which Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera fell on top of the German striker and landed his hand on Havertz's throat. Mosquera escaped a penalty.

Arsenal finished last season two points behind Man City after reaching the finals of the title race.