Liverpool started their title defence with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth at Anfield. The 60,000+ crowd were in for a rollercoaster of a match with goals and drama right up until the final whistle.
Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Liverpool’s Early Lead
Liverpool started well and took the lead in the 37th minute. Alexis Mac Allister played a clever pass to Hugo Ekitike, who got lucky when the ball ricocheted off Marcos Senesi. Ekitike stayed calm and power shot past Djordje Petrovic to make it 1-0. The goal set the tone for Liverpool’s attacking intent.
Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Second-Half Surge
After the end of the first half, Liverpool doubled their lead in the 49th minute. Ekitike turned provider, holding up the ball on the left and laying it off to Cody Gakpo. Gakpo took two touches to create space and curled a powerful shot into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-0.
Bournemouth’s Fightback
Bournemouth wouldn’t go down without a fight and pulled one back in the 64th minute. David Brooks delivered a pinpoint cross, and Antoine Semenyo outmuscled Virgil van Dijk to fire past Alisson Becker to make it 2-1. The visitors stunned Anfield again in the 76th minute when Semenyo led a four on two counter counterattack, twisted past Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate before firing a low shot into the corner to make it 2-2.
Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth
Liverpool regained the lead in the 88th minute through substitute Federico Chiesa. Mohamed Salah’s inswinging cross was parried by Petrovic, but a weak clearance fell to Chiesa, who struck exquisitely into the bottom corner to make it 3-2. In the 90+4th minute, Salah sealed the win by playing a low shot past Petrovic to make it 4-2. His goal, his 10th on a Premier League opening day, sent Anfield into delirium.
Key Performances
Ekitike impressed on his Premier League debut, scoring and assisting, while Chiesa’s impact off the bench was the difference. Semenyo’s two goals earned him plaudits despite the loss, but the match was marred by a 30th-minute stoppage after he reported racist abuse from the crowd. The Premier League will investigate.
Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Final Thoughts
The game had an emotional edge to it. Anfield paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who died in a car crash earlier that summer. A 20th-minute applause and Jota’s No. 20 displayed in the stands added to the win.
Next Up
Liverpool faces Newcastle, and Bournemouth plays Wolves. A good start to the title defence.
Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Goals and Highlights
