Liverpool opened their Premier League 2025 campaign with a night full of emotion, controversy, and breathtaking football, eventually overcoming Bournemouth 4–2 at Anfield.
The evening began on a solemn note as players, staff, and fans paid tribute to forward Diogo Jota and his brother, with the entire stadium joining in a moving moment of remembrance. But once the whistle blew, the tone quickly shifted to an action-packed contest.
It was new signing Hugo Ekitiké who set Liverpool’s night in motion. The £69 million forward latched onto a long ball, controlled it with finesse, and calmly slotted past the keeper. Moments later, Cody Gakpo doubled the advantage, sending the home fans into early celebrations.
But Bournemouth were in no mood to simply play the part of guests. Antoine Semenyo, sharp and determined, pulled one back, punishing Liverpool’s slack defending. And when Liverpool overhit a pass in midfield, Semenyo pounced again — this time sprinting into space and finishing coolly to make it 2–2.
Anfield grew tense. Bournemouth’s confidence rose. A moment of controversy followed when Marcos Senesi handled the ball while chasing Ekitiké. Many expected a red card for denying a clear chance, but the referee instead awarded a free-kick the other way for a separate handball. The decision left Bournemouth relieved and Liverpool frustrated.
It wasn’t until the 88th minute that the match swung back Liverpool’s way. Substitute Federico Chiesa, making his mark in style, met a cross with a stunning volley to put the home side ahead. In stoppage time, Mohamed Salah sealed the deal with a composed finish, sparking wild celebrations.
Off the pitch, the match was overshadowed by an allegation of racist abuse towards Semenyo from a Liverpool fan in the first half. Play was paused as stewards and managers addressed the incident, and a supporter was escorted from the stadium at half-time. Both clubs have since condemned the behaviour and pledged to assist investigations.
Manager Arne Slot will take pride in his team’s resilience and attacking depth but may have concerns about defensive lapses. For Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola can point to spirit and attacking threat, though defensive gaps remain a worry after a summer of high-profile player sales.
In the end, Liverpool’s quality and bench strength proved decisive — turning what looked like a frustrating opening night into a thrilling victory in front of their home crowd.