Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Ekitike Shines, Chiesa Delivers Late Drama on Emotional Anfield Night
Liverpool’s Premier League title defence kicked off with fireworks, late drama, and a wave of emotion at Anfield, as Arne Slot’s men edged Bournemouth 4-2 in a game that had everything, tributes, controversy, comebacks, and a debut hero.
Anfield Remembers
Before the football even began, the night belonged to remembrance. The stadium fell into silence to honor Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically passed away in a car accident in July. The 20th minute saw Anfield rise for a powerful round of applause, a touching nod to Jota’s iconic No. 20 shirt. Football often delivers goosebumps, but this was on another level.
Ekitike Arrives in Style
If anyone still wondered why Liverpool splashed £70m on Hugo Ekitike, those doubts evaporated quickly. The French forward looked electric, tormenting Bournemouth’s backline before coolly slotting home just before half-time to break the deadlock.
And he wasn’t done. Minutes into the second half, Ekitike turned provider, setting up Cody Gakpo for Liverpool’s second. Two contributions, two goals, and Anfield was already toasting their new star boy.
Semenyo’s Brave Response
But football rarely sticks to the script. Referee Anthony Taylor had to halt play in the first half after Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo reported racial abuse from the crowd, a grim reminder that the game still has battles off the pitch.
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Semenyo, however, showed nothing but strength. He dragged Bournemouth back into the contest with a close-range finish on 64 minutes, before stunning Anfield with a rapid counterattack equaliser 14 minutes from time. From boos to brilliance, he turned the game on its head.
Chiesa and Salah Seal It Late
Just as it looked like Bournemouth would snatch a heroic point, Anfield witnessed another debut moment. Federico Chiesa, better known for Champions League nights, popped up two minutes from the end to bury his first Premier League goal in Liverpool red.
The Kop erupted, and when Mohamed Salah added a fourth moments later with his trademark calmness, the night ended in classic Liverpool fashion, chaos, relief, and celebration.
Slot’s Balancing Act
Arne Slot rolled the dice with four debutants: Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Florian Wirtz. While Ekitike stole the headlines, Wirtz struggled to stamp authority in the No. 10 role, and Liverpool looked far from their usual composed selves.
It’s only week one, but cracks were visible. The vulnerability that cost them the Community Shield against Crystal Palace reappeared, nearly undoing 70 minutes of control. Slot has work to do if Liverpool are to march to another title.
But with Anfield roaring, new heroes stepping up, and Salah still Salah, they’ll take nights like this.
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