Liverpool opened their Premier League title defence with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield in a match overshadowed by an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota. Anfield remembered the Portugal international, with his family present and a banner reading: 'Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Matilda – Anfield will always be your home. You’ll Never Walk Alone.'
The hosts were given an early reprieve when Marcos Senesi escaped a red card for an apparent handball, with referee Anthony Taylor instead penalising Cody Gakpo. Liverpool took the lead through debutant Hugo Ekitiké, who ran clear after a ricochet and produced a composed finish. Gakpo doubled the advantage early in the second half, cutting across two defenders before finding the bottom corner.
Antoine Semenyo hauled Bournemouth level with two goals, the first a close-range finish after David Brooks’ low centre and the second following a poor pass from Mohamed Salah. The Ghana international’s equaliser came as Liverpool looked comfortable.
The match was paused in the first half after Semenyo reported racist abuse from a spectator, who was escorted out of the stadium by police. Bournemouth had sold several key players over the summer, including Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi, while Liverpool’s bench underlined their need for a further striker.
Substitute Federico Chiesa struck an 88th-minute volley to put Liverpool back in front, and Mohamed Salah sealed the win with a late goal. Salah was inconsolable after the final whistle, recreating Jota’s 'Baby Shark' celebration and breaking down in tears in front of the Kop.
