Liverpool opened the Premier League 2025/26 with a 4-2 win over AFC Bournemouth on Friday 15 August, 2025 at Anfield.
New signing, Hugo Ekitike, aroused the reigning Kings to their first win in their first match of the new top flight campaign.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool found the back of the net twice late on as they kicked off the defence of their Premier League title with a dramatic triumph over Bournemouth on an emotional night at home.
Tributes were paid before and during the game to late Reds forward, Diogo Jota alongside his brother Andre Silva, who featured for RB Leipzig, who died in a car crash in July in Spain, with a minute’s silence observed before kick-off and applause in the 20th minute – the Portuguese having flaunted Liverpool’s number 20 jersey.
£70m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekitike, struck first for the home side in the 37th minute, and assisted Dutch forward, Cody Gakpo, who added the second for the Reds in the 49th minute.
Referee Anthony Taylor intercepted the showdown in the first 45 minutes when Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported that he had been abused racially by a member of the crowd.
The Cherries fought back and levelled in the 64th and 76th minutes through Semenyo.
Bournemouth looked ready to cart home a point from the clash, but, unexpectedly, Federico Chiesa steered the hosts back in front with the third late, in the 88th minute.
And, in the 4th minute of additional time, Egyptian forward, Mohamed Salah, netted the fourth for Liverpool, to seal all three points for the defending champions.
Photo: Antoine Semenyo scores from AFC Bournemouth
