Hugo Ekitike had a goal and an assist as Liverpool got their Premier League season off to a winning start despite a blown two-goal lead to Bournemouth at Anfield on a night the club honored deceased forward Diogo Jota.
A six-goal thriller unfolded after Anfield saluted Jota and brother Andre Silva with touching tributes both loud and silent after the pair died in a car accident this summer.
The match also included an ugly incident as Antoine Semenyo reported racial abuse from a fan during the first half.
WATCH — Liverpool v Bournemouth full match replay
Ekitike scored and assisted Cody Gakpo to put the Reds up 2-0 before Antoine Semenyo bagged a second-half brace to knot things up and set the stage for a tense ending.
Federico Chiesa came off the bench to make it 3-2 and Mohamed Salah put it to bed late to salt away three points for the defending Premier League champions.
Liverpool’s roller coaster win drenched in emotion
This was some start to a Premier League season. If this is Game 1, perhaps we really are set for the GOAT season of this wonderful league. Anfield was not just hailing the return of their Premier League champions but paying tribute to one of those champions who will never play again in the late Diogo Jota. The emotions were written all over the pitch. Then, as it so often does, the game furthered an already-special occasion. There was Hugo Ekitike setting a high standard in his Premier League debut. Then came Antoine Semenyo sinking Anfield back into its seats with a brilliant brace before Federico Chiesa came off the bench to get his long-sought first Premier League goal. Chiesa’s release was felt by all. And still there was more as Mohamed Salah salted away the win with his record-tying 187th PL goal. The Egyptian King was spotted with tears in his eyes during Anfield’s post-game salute, and Arne Slot grew emotional in his postgame talk with NBC’s pitchside desk. This run of just over two hours came thick with reminders of what’s so special about our game. In the end, there was little left to do but soak in the emotions of an incredible occasion that — again — is just No. 1 of 380 this season.
Andoni Iraola speaks on racial abuse of Antoine Semenyo
Unfortunately this game also showed us the ugly side of life, and Iraola was asked about the first-half incident with Semenyo and a fan and spoke strongly on the moment.
“Antoine told us,” Iraola said. “I think to be fair we have to say that the person was identified. It’s a big shame. These things continue happening, the first game in the Premier League [season]. Everybody was watching a lovely game of football and [now] we have to talk about this. It’s a big shame.”
What’s next?
Bournemouth host Wolves at 10am ET Saturday, August 23. Liverpool go to Newcastle at 3pm on Monday, August 25.
How to watch Liverpool vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Friday
Venue: Anfield
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Stream live online via NBC.com
Liverpool vs Bournemouth final score: 4-2
Goal scorers: Hugo Ekitike 37', Cody Gakpo 49', Antoine Semenyo 64', 76', Federico Chiesa 88', Mohamed Salah 90+4'
Assists: Hugo Ekitike, Alexis Mac Allister, David Brooks, Hamed Traore, Wataru Endo.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth live updates, stats
Possession: Liverpool 61%
Shot attempts: Liverpool 19-10
Expected goals: Liverpool 2.15-1.63
Mohamed Salah goal — Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth
Order restored as the Egyptian King does what he’s so often done, racing onto a loose ball and cutting past a defender to drill a low shot past a helpless keeper.
Federico Chiesa goal — Liverpool 3-2 Bournemouth
The Italian comes off the bench and claims unlikely hero status as he cleans up a rebound with vigor.
A muddle clearance from a pair of Bournemouth defenders gives Chiesa a chance to lash at the loose ball and he clobbers it into the back of the goal.
Antoine Semenyo goal — Liverpool 2-2 Bournemouth
He’s done it again!
Semenyo takes it upon himself with a long dribble after Mohamed Salah’s pass to Dominik Szoboszlai in the Bournemouth third is just a touch too strong for the lunging Hungarian.
Semenyo’s long dribble sees him use Evanilson as a foil near the Liverpool 18, curling a hard shot inside Alisson’s near post.
Level!!
Antoine Semenyo goal — Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
Here come the Cherries.
USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams finds David Brooks with a pass that unlocks Bournemouth down the left as Brooks has the better of Ibrahima Konate.
Brooks’ cross finds Semenyo, who had beaten Virgil van Dijk and fresh-into-the-game Andy Robertson. Alisson gets a hand to Semenyo’s shot but it’s too much and piles into the back of the net.
Game on.
Cody Gakpo goal — Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
Milos Kerkez sends a cutting pass into Ekitike, who just stays onside.
He holds up the ball long enough to find Cody Gakpo’s cut across the top of the 18, and the Dutchman slots low past Petrovic.
Halftime — Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
Liverpool are deservedly in front, most would say, of a half that also included Bournemouth dodging a red card and a pause to investigate racial abuse toward Hugo Ekitike.
Alexis Mac Allister assisted Ekitike’s goal, as Liverpool look dangerous coming from all angles. USMNT man Tyler Adams is chewing up kilometers for the Cherries.
If you missed any of the tributes to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, get caught up here:
Hugo Ekitike goal — Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
Marcos Senesi is having a brutal day.
Hugo Ekitike is played toward the box and collects the ball off Senesi’s half-hearted tackle attempt.
He shows a striker’s finish and passing the ball to the left of Petrovic.
Troubling accusation causes delay
Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported a racist comment made his way, and there’s a break of a few moments as referee Anthony Taylor and authorities tend to the situation.
Not something you ever want to see.
Bournemouth very lucky to have 11 men
Marcos Senesi is the last man back and he loses focus, swiping at the ball with his hand and moving it away from the pressing Liverpool attack.
Stunningly, VAR does not find it worthy of a pitchside review. Very surprising. And very lucky for Bournemouth.
0-0, 16'.
Salah lets it fly
Oh Liverpool look bright going forward.
Hugo Ekitike drops to pick up the ball and soon it’s to Mohamed Salah on the right wing.
The Egyptian cuts onto his left and lashes a shot that Djordje Petrovic flies to palm over the goal.
Bournemouth deal with the first attempt off the corner and Virgil van Dijk heads a second bid over the bar.
0-0, 5.
Underway!
The Premier League season is officially here!
An emotional “You’ll Never Walk Alone”
Diogo Jota is being remembered with tifo and scarves held aloft as Anfield roars into “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Intense, moving scenes as the Reds begin a title defense without Jota following his fatal car crash this summer.
Now a moment of silence for Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who also died in the tragedy.
Ryan Gravenberch absence explained
The influential Liverpool midfielder is suspended for a red card against Crystal Palace at the end of the last Premier League season.
Liverpool lineup
Alisson, Kerkez, Konate, Van Dijk, Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike
Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha
Bournemouth lineup
Petrovic, Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Adams, Brooks, Tavernier, Semenyo, Evanilson
Subs: Dennis, Araujo, Soler, Kroupi, Hill, Traore, Billing, Winterburn, Rees-Dottin
Liverpool vs Bournemouth match preview
The 2025-26 Premier League season begins at the home of the defending champions as Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield on Friday.
Liverpool won the league by 10 points last season but have a new look this season. Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have found new clubs, and the club mourns the death of Diogo Jota.
Arne Slot’s Reds have spent massively this summer, adding record transfer Florian Wirtz as well as Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike, and ex-Bournemouth man Milos Kerkez. Giorgi Mamardashvili has also arrived from Valencia. Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi are also heavily linked with Liverpool.
Bournemouth will look quite different this season as well, and Kerkez is a big part of that. The club brought in Adrien Truffert in the hopes of replacing the Hungarian, and so far the Rennes import looks up to the challenge.
There are questions at the back, where Dean Huijsen left for Real Madrid and Illia Zabaryni skipped town for Paris Saint-Germain in big money moves. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s much-celebrated loan stint is also over, and the Cherries hope that ex-MLS man Djordje Petrovic will prove a star between the sticks.
Liverpool team news, focus
OUT: Ryan Gravenberch (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Conor Bradley (undisclosed), Joe Gomez (achilles)
Bournemouth team news, focus
OUT: Enes Unal (knee), Lewis Cook (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Luis Sinisterra (thigh), Ryan Christie (groin), Justin Kluivert (calf)
Liverpool vs Bournemouth prediction
The Reds may take some time to settle into a groove given their roster upheaval, but will be so strong in the long haul. This game will give them a little space for error, as Bournemouth’s back line is a question mark and will need to find their comfort level, too. Anfield isn’t the place for that especially in a curtain-raiser. Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth.
