Liverpool began their Premier League title defense with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over a resilient Bournemouth side at Anfield.
The champions, still reeling from the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, were tested by a Cherries team that fought back from a two-goal deficit before ultimately succumbing to a seventh consecutive defeat at the historic stadium.
A Somber Start and a Swift Officiating Controversy
The match began with a poignant minute of silence, a tribute to the late Jota and his brother. Under new manager Arne Slot, Liverpool’s revamped lineup which included four Premier League debutants started with high intensity.
Early on, Mohamed Salah tested goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović with a powerful shot before setting up a header for Virgil van Dijk. Just 12 minutes in, a moment of officiating controversy arose when Marcos Senesi appeared to handle the ball, much to the frustration of manager Slot.
Ekitike Shines as Liverpool Takes Control
The Reds finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute through Ekitike. The Frenchman latched onto a pass from Alexis Mac Allister, and after a fortunate bounce off Senesi, he clinically slotted the ball past Petrović for his first Premier League goal.
Ekitike continued to be a threat and provided an assist just five minutes into the second half. He laid the ball off for Cody Gakpo, who strode into the box and calmly finished to double Liverpool’s lead.
Bournemouth’s Shocking Comeback and Antoine Semenyo’s Brace
Just as Liverpool seemed to be cruising, Bournemouth mounted a stunning comeback. In the 57th minute, Antoine Semenyo halved the deficit, finishing a brilliant team move that began with Tyler Adams and David Brooks. The Ghana international then stunned Anfield by scoring his and Bournemouth’s second goal, expertly exploiting a gap between Ibrahima Konaté and Van Dijk before firing past Alisson.
Semenyo’s brace made him the first visiting player since September 2022 to score twice at Anfield, but the champions would have the final say.
Late Goals Seal Victory
With the match tied, Liverpool found a new gear. Federico Chiesa, a new signing, latched onto a loose ball inside the box and fired home in front of the Kop to score his first Premier League goal and restore Liverpool’s lead.
As the final whistle approached, Mohamed Salah cemented the victory by scoring Liverpool’s fourth goal, his 10th on an opening day of the Premier League season. The goal sent Anfield into a frenzy, capping off a thrilling and emotional start to the new campaign.
