Officially getting the defence of their Premier League crown underway on Friday night, Liverpool dragged themselves to what was a pulsating 4–2 victory against Bournemouth.
Despite suffering Community Shield frustration at Wembley last weekend as they eventually fell to a penalty shootout defeat against Crystal Palace in north London, Arne Slot’s defending champions didn’t shown any signs of a hangover here as they came flying out of the traps.
In what was their first Premier League appearance since Diogo Jota’s tragic death last month, summer recruit Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring in the 37th-minute and got his Premier League account underway on his debut.
Slot’s new number nine was also at the heart of Liverpool’s second as he linked up with Cody Gakpo before the Dutchman doubled Liverpool’s lead just four minutes after the interval.
However, although the defending champions might have been sat firmly in the driving seat, Bournemouth mounted what was a sensational comeback as Antoine Semenyo bagged a brace in the space of just nine minutes and quickly silenced the Anfield support.
With the game stopped during the first-half as it was suggested that Semenyo was racially abused by a supporter, the Cherries suddenly looked like that were the team who was going to go on and bag a late winner.
Forced to go about things the difficulty way here, it was forgotten man Federico Chiesa who proved to be Liverpool’s surprise hero on Friday night as the Italian international powered home in the 88th-minute.
There was then time for reigning Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah to open his account for the 2025/26 campaign as the Egyptian record-breaking produced a trademark finish late in stoppage time.
Although Liverpool might have eventually dragged themselves over the finishing line in a spectacular fashion here, Slot will know that there are plenty of improvements that need to be made.
On a night when Liverpool got the defence of the Premier League crown underway with an action-packed affair, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Anfield.
Defensive headaches will be there for Slot
Eventually clinching their history-making 20th domestic crown last season holding a commanding 10-point buffer over silver medalists Arsenal, it is no secret that Liverpool opened up the new campaign pencilled in as a standout contender to secure consecutive English titles for the first time in over four decades.
However, although the Reds might have eventually dragged themselves over the finishing line in the most dramatic of fashion here, the former Feyenoord boss will be desperately searching for some crucial defensive stability.
Despite avoiding what would have been an infamous opening weekend collapse and eventually notching a quartet of strikes on Friday night, Bournemouth certainly asked some serious questions and highlighted some underlining issues.
Watching their Champions League adventure come to an end back in March as they fell to a 2-1 aggregate defeat against eventual winners PSG, Friday’s hosts have now shipped a pair of goals in their back-to-back appearances over the past week.
Likewise, signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a 1-1 stalemate against Crystal Palace, Liverpool also mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their final eight Premier League matchups.
Ekitike runs the show on his Premier League debut
Although Slot’s side might have shown some real defensive issues on Friday night, fans around Anfield will certainly be excited by the immediate impact that their new number nine has made.
Opening his Liverpool account with a Community Shield strike at Wembley against Crystal Palace last weekend, Ekitike couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to life among England’s elite.
Although fellow new recruit and £116million arrival Florain Wirtz might have failed to make much of an impact on his respective Premier League debut here, the French starlet certainly stole the show on Merseyside.
Handed a standing ovation when replaced just after the 70th-minute mark, the former Eintracht Frankfurt ace successfully opened his Premier League account at the first attempt and put in what was a real Man of the Match performance.
While Liverpool might remain firmly at the heart of Alexander Isak’s ongoing transfer saga with Newcastle, some around Anfield might be starting to wonder if the Swedish international is really needed before the summer transfer window slams shut.
Semenyo almost inspires an iconic Anfield comeback
Although Bournemouth might have eventually fallen short in their bid to complete what would have been a famous opening weekend comeback against the defending champions, Andoni Iraola’s side will take plenty of positives away from an eye-catching performance.
Despite struggling to find any real fluidity during the final few months of the 2024/25 campaign as they failed to book an iconic European ticket, Friday’s guests did receive plenty of plaudits from across England’s elite.
Winning just a trio of their final 15 appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes last season, the former Rayo Vallecano boss knows that stability is key this time around.
Watching Semenyo put pen to paper on a bumper new deal at the Vitality last month and opening his Premier League account with a stellar brace at Anfield, Bournemouth will be confident of dusting themselves down quickly.
Looking to mount another European charge this season, the Cherries will be next seen in eight days time when they welcome Wolves to the South Coast.
Match Report
Liverpool: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike
Subs: Robertson, Jones, Chiesa, Endo, Gomez
Bournemouth: Petrovic, Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Tavernier, Brooks, Semenyo, Evanilson
Subs: Hill, Traore, Winterburn, Kroupi
Goals: Liverpool: Ekitike (39’), Gakpo (49’), Chiesa (88’), Salah (90+4’) – Bournemouth: Semenyo (64’, 76’)
Yellow Cards: Liverpool: Kerkez – Bournemouth: Evanilson, Brooks
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Anthony Taylor
