Liverpool's season got off to the perfect start on Saturday as they beat Manchester City 3-1 to claim the Community Shield.

It was third time lucky in the curtain-raiser for Jurgen Klopp and his men after their previous two visits to the 'friendly' ended in defeat.

However, the Reds looked hungry to inflict the first psychological blow ahead of the Premier League season and came out of the blocks at scintillating pace.

They looked sharper and fitter, dominating the second ball and pinning City back on their box before Trent Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring with a curler into the far post.

City, as is their way, would force an equaliser in the second half but the tie was turned on its head when Klopp introduced club-record signing Darwin Nunez into the fray.

The Uruguayan, signed from Benfica, had been in indifferent form during Liverpool's few pre-season friendlies but he looked like a man possessed on Saturday.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates scoring their side's third goal with teammate Fabio Carvalho during The FA Community Shield between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at The King Power Stadium on July 30, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

His movement was quick and incisive as he ran the tiring City centre-back pairing ragged.

He missed a glorious chance to open his account when through one-on-one with Ederson but didn't let that spurned opportunity slow him down.

It was Nunez who won the penalty for Liverpool to restore their lead, with Virgil van Dijk angering some of the City players after hoofing the ball into row Z following Salah's effort.

He continued to push and prod before, eventually, he got his moment. After Andy Robertson nodded a Mohamed Salah cross into his path, Nunez pounced to guide the ball into the City net.

It capped what was a brilliant all-round performance, the highlights of which you can see in the clip below:

A star in the making? Possibly.

Liverpool fans will be hoping that the Community Shield masterclass is but a sign of things to come as the Reds looks to banish the ghosts of that disappointing final week of last season.

Nunez, who will take immeasurable confidence from his performance on Saturday, will hope to play a crucial role in that.

With the likes of Salah, Alexander-Arnold, Thiago and many others feeding him premium, first-class service, all the potential is there for him to absolutely plunder goals in English climes.