Liverpool’s search for a long-term answer on the right flank has become more complicated after two targeted moves came to nothing.

Crystal Palace quickly rejected a surprise $68 million (£50 million) approach for Ismaïla Sarr, a player Liverpool view as a possible successor to Mohamed Salah because of his natural fit on the right wing. The Palace forward is also well known to Liverpool from previous meetings, having scored seven times in 10 appearances against them as a Watford and Palace player, including four goals last season.

The Sarr pursuit came after Liverpool had already seen two offers for Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh turned down. Brighton are holding out for $108.7 million (£80 million), leaving Liverpool short of obvious options as the window moves towards its Sept. 1 deadline.

Reports from Fabrizio Romano and others say Palace are not planning to sell Sarr this summer. Galatasaray have also had two bids rejected for the 28-year-old, underlining how difficult this market has become.

Liverpool’s search for a right winger remains separate from any move for Barcola. The Frenchman is not certain to join Anfield, with PSG standing firm on their valuation, although there is growing optimism that a deal could still happen. Even so, that would only address part of the problem for Andoni Iraola, who still needs a natural Salah replacement.

At Newcastle United in the Premier League opener, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Muñoz were used on the right side of the attack, but both are more comfortable on the left. The same is true of Cody Gakpo and possible arrival Barcola.

If Liverpool continue to miss out, they may return to Mbaye, despite PSG’s $81.6 million price tag. Matias Fernandez-Pardo has also been mentioned, while Rayan would require a nine-figure fee and carries a $176.7 million (£130 million) release clause that becomes active in January 2027. Francisco Conceição, Takefusa Kubo and Johan Bakayoko have also been linked in previous windows.

The Premier League season opened with a busy first weekend and several individual displays immediately demanding attention. Chelsea’s refreshed attack helped shape the closing stages of the round, while a number of other clubs also produced performances that stood out for different reasons.

Everton’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Merseyside was not straightforward early on. The visitors started brightly, but poor finishing and Jordan Pickford kept them at bay. Pickford’s best moment came with a sharp save to deny Eddie Nketiah, and his contribution was among the best goalkeeping efforts of the weekend. Only Newcastle United debutant Lukáš Horniček prevented more goals on the opening weekend.

Brighton & Hove Albion also enjoyed a dominant afternoon, with Maxim De Cuyper pushed into a more advanced role in the demolition of Aston Villa. His energy caused constant problems, and he was directly involved in the move that led to Victor Lindelöf’s own goal before adding another by attacking the box with real purpose. That return earned him the Fantasy Premier League Player of the Week award and a 17-point haul.

There was also a memorable debut for Nobel Mendy, who marked his first appearance for Hull City by scoring against Manchester United. The defender helped his side make the most of set-pieces, and he finished the match with 12 clearances as Hull protected their two-goal cushion.

At Manchester City, Josko Gvardiol made the difference against Bournemouth after an opening spell in which City’s fluidity caused problems. He timed his run perfectly to meet Rayan Cherki’s pass and finish calmly beyond Đorđe Petrović, even if the effort was initially flagged offside.

Brentford had strong contributions from Keane Lewis-Potter and Mamadou Sangaré in their win over Tottenham Hotspur. Lewis-Potter struck early, while Sangaré’s debut showed exactly why the Bees committed a club-record fee for him. He linked play effectively, assisted the opener and was involved again for Brentford’s third.

Newcastle United also had reason to be encouraged by Yoane Wissa, whose all-round work helped drive their display against Liverpool. He was central to the transition that led to Joe Willock’s go-ahead goal after Cody Gakpo had drawn Liverpool level.

Chelsea’s own attacking momentum was reflected by Cole Palmer and João Pedro. Palmer looked sharp after a disrupted previous campaign, while João Pedro scored in under 30 seconds and later returned the favour for Palmer. He now appears to be the league’s strongest centre forward outside Erling Haaland.

Arsenal’s opening-night win over Coventry City also featured a debutant contribution, rounding off a weekend in which several new and familiar faces made a strong first impression.

The Premier League has wasted little time in reminding everyone why pre-season certainty rarely survives opening weekend.

A composed Friday night start was followed by a string of heavy results and eye-catching shifts across Saturday and Sunday. For a division long billed as one of the most unpredictable in years, the first round of fixtures offered exactly that, forcing plenty of early assumptions into revision.

Arsenal made the clearest statement. Their 3-0 win over Coventry City was controlled, calm and entirely in keeping with a team defending a title. Coventry, in their first top-flight match in 25 years, were worn down gradually and given little encouragement. With the additions made this summer and an already deep squad, the champions look well placed to make another serious run at the top.

Aston Villa, by contrast, left the south coast with real concerns. Their defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion was severe, with the game effectively gone at 4-0 inside 31 minutes and João Gomes later sent off before half-time. Unai Emery has repeatedly found solutions in the past, but the scale of change around the squad means there is now a bedding-in process to manage.

Newcastle United also left their opener with more than frustration. A late Dominik Szoboszlai penalty denied them victory against Liverpool, yet Matthias Jassle’s influence was already visible. There is a clearer identity to their play, and the vertical approach looks suited to a team and support base that should respond to it.

Brentford, meanwhile, may have unearthed a major success in Mamadou Sangaré. The midfielder impressed in the 3-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur, and the praise from teammates has been immediate. Caoimhín Kelleher called him “superb,” while Keane Lewis-Potter described him as a “joy to play with.”

Among the promoted sides, Hull City and Ipswich Town both delivered encouraging responses after Coventry’s rough start. Hull beat Manchester United 2-0, while Ipswich edged Sunderland 2-1 late on. Neither club is under any illusion about the task ahead, but both showed enough to suggest they can compete.

At the other end of the conversation, Sunderland’s opening defeat will sharpen questions about a second-season hangover, while Arsenal’s brightest argument may already be individual acclaim. Martin Ødegaard is back, baby!