Liverpool opened their 2025-26 Premier League season with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.
The night began with heartfelt tributes to the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, with a minute of silence, a mosaic, and Jota’s song echoing around the stadium.
The match started quickly, with Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah both bright early on. Ekitike was unlucky when VAR denied a possible handball by Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi. The first half also saw a brief stoppage when Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo reported racist abuse from a fan.
Liverpool broke the deadlock before half-time as Ekitike took advantage of a lucky bounce to finish calmly past Djordje Petrovic.
Liverpool started the second half strongly. Ekitike’s clever run and hold-up play set up Cody Gakpo, who scored to make it 2-0. Manager Arne Slot made changes on the hour, bringing on Wataru Endo and Andy Robertson for Frimpong and Kerkez.
Bournemouth hit back quickly. David Brooks delivered a ball for Semenyo to score 2-1, and shortly after, Semenyo ran through the middle of the Liverpool defence to make it 2-2.
Liverpool responded with more changes, bringing on Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones, and, later, Federico Chiesa. The Italian striker volleyed in a superb third goal in the 88th minute, giving Liverpool the lead again. Mohamed Salah sealed the win in stoppage time, curling in his shot to make it 4-2, taking his Premier League tally to 187 goals.
Liverpool will now prepare for their next match away at Newcastle.
