Liverpool opened their Premier League title defence with a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, a thriller that swung from near cruise control to a furious fightback before two late home goals settled it. Hugo Ekitike marked his league debut with the opener and then supplied Cody Gakpo for 2-0, only for the outstanding Antoine Semenyo to drag the visitors level with a rousing brace.
All of it unfolded amid powerful tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. There was a minute’s silence before kick-off and a round of applause in the 20th minute for Liverpool’s former No. 20. Federico Chiesa volleyed Liverpool back in front in the 88th minute with his first Premier League goal for the club. Mohamed Salah struck in stoppage time, then broke down as the Kop sang Jota’s name.
Ekitike announces himself as the champions take control
Arne Slot wasted no time bedding in his first Premier League starts to Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, and the £70m signing Hugo Ekitike. The Frenchman, lively throughout, exchanged passes with Alexis Mac Allister before driving at Marcos Senesi, getting the rub of a ricochet and finishing with cool precision eight minutes before the interval.