There are more of Klopp's fingerprints over the 2016-17 squad, and the thrashing of Barcelona — Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both started in that game — is perhaps a sign that the methods of the charismatic, bespectacled German are starting to make a difference.

"We didn't think before the game we were on a level with Barcelona and we don't think now we are on a higher level than them," Klopp said. "We are not crazy. But you win 4-0 and you have to use it." Liverpool, a five-time European champion, always loves its European nights but the team's failure to qualify for continental competition this season may well turn out to be a blessing.

Klopp's men struggled with the packed schedule last season, resulting in vastly differing performances one week to the next. Players found it hard to enact Klopp's favored high-energy pressing style three games a week, and should be more consistent this season with a less-cluttered fixture list.

Especially domestically, there were obvious areas where Liverpool needed to make improvements. One was in defense, and Klopp has changed things round at center back by agreeing to the departure of Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure, and bringing in Joel Matip from Schalke and Estonia captain Ragnar Klavan.

Left back was also a problem position, and Klopp tried out James Milner — a versatile midfielder — in that position against Barcelona before he got injured. Alberto Moreno is the first-choice left back but is error-prone, and Jon Flanagan has been loaned to Burnley for the season.

Klopp also struggled to settle on a regular starting center forward, with Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings beset by injuries, Divock Origi adjusting to life in England in his first season in the Premier League and Christian Benteke failing to justify his $50 million price tag.

No new strikers have been signed, though. Klopp has said Benteke would be allowed to leave on a permanent transfer and Brazil forward Roberto Firmino is another option in the central-striker role, with Liverpool flush with attacking midfielders.

Midfield looks to be Liverpool's strongest asset like it was last season, when Philippe Coutinho, Firmino and Adam Lallana often produced moments of class. Two more exciting midfielders have been added, with Sadio Mane and Giorginio Wijnaldum joining for more than 50 million pounds ($65 million) combined.

Following the sale of Jordon Ibe to Bournemouth, Sheyi Ojo could get more game time and the 19-year-old looks to be the latest in a string of talented wingers to come through Liverpool. Ojo has been compared to Raheem Sterling, who left Liverpool for Manchester City last year.

With Liverpool completing work on renovating the main stand at Anfield, the team's opening three games will be away from home, starting at Arsenal on Sunday.

Ibrahimovic headed in an 83rd-minute winner on Sunday as United beat Leicester 2-1 in the Community Shield — the traditional curtain-raiser to the English season — and give Mourinho his first piece of silverware as Old Trafford.

"That's what it's all about, winning trophies," Ibrahimovic said. "This is why I came. Hopefully I can win much more than this." On the day United moved closer to signing Paul Pogba in potentially a world-record transfer, its most high-profile offseason signing so far made an immediate impact, despite having a quiet game by his high standards at Wembley Stadium.

Ibrahimovic was lurking at the back post when Antonio Valencia floated over a cross from the right wing. Beating Wes Morgan in the air, Ibrahimovic planted a downward header against the post and the ball rebounded over the line.

The Community Shield is nothing more than a friendly match between the winners of last season's Premier League (Leicester) and FA Cup (United), but both teams treated it seriously and Ibrahimovic proudly hailed it as the 31st title of his trophy-filled career.

"Something big is going on with our team," Ibrahimovic said, before walking with his teammates up the Wembley steps to lift the shield to explosions of ticker-tape. Eleven weeks after scoring an extra-time winner for United in the FA Cup final at Wembley, Jesse Lingard returned to the stadium to put his team ahead in the 32nd minute with a solo goal that started 45 meters out. He slalomed past both of Leicester's center backs, Robert Huth and Morgan, darted past Danny Simpson and slid a finish under goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Jamie Vardy equalized for the league champions in the 52nd, pouncing on a short back pass from Marouane Fellaini, who had done well initially to track back and break up play. However, his pass to goalkeeper David de Gea was underhit, allowing the alert Vardy to round De Gea and shoot in left-footed from an acute angle.

Mourinho blamed Fellaini's mistake on the slowness of the Wembley field. Ahmed Musa, Leicester's club-record signing this offseason, was brought on at halftime and his pace, allied to Vardy's, worried United. Eric Bailly, one of United's three signings so far, lost his composure after a strong first half and was booked for fouls on Musa and Vardy.

Musa missed a great chance — a header from five meters out — before Ibrahimovic's goal. In injury time, Mourinho took off Juan Mata, who had only been on the field 30 minutes as a substitute. Mata, who was sold to United by Mourinho when the coach was at Chelsea, looked unhappy at a decision that was Mourinho at his ruthless best.

Victory was all that mattered to the Portuguese coach, who hopes to soon be welcoming Pogba to Old Trafford after United announced earlier Sunday that the Juventus midfielder was set for a medical examination.

"It's an important victory but we have lots of work to do," Mourinho said. "It was a positive performance for this moment of the season. It's always important to start with a trophy."