Formally getting the defence of their Premier League crown underway on Friday night time, Liverpool dragged themselves to what was a pulsating 4–2 victory towards Bournemouth.
Regardless of struggling Neighborhood Defend frustration at Wembley final weekend as they finally fell to a penalty shootout defeat towards Crystal Palace in north London, Arne Slot’s defending champions didn’t proven any indicators of a hangover right here as they got here flying out of the traps.
In what was their first Premier League look since Diogo Jota’s tragic loss of life final month, summer time recruit Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring within the Thirty seventh-minute and acquired his Premier League account underway on his debut.
Slot’s new quantity 9 was additionally on the coronary heart of Liverpool’s second as he linked up with Cody Gakpo earlier than the Dutchman doubled Liverpool’s lead simply 4 minutes after the interval.
Nonetheless, though the defending champions might need been sat firmly within the driving seat, Bournemouth mounted what was a sensational comeback as Antoine Semenyo bagged a brace within the area of simply 9 minutes and rapidly silenced the Anfield assist.
With the sport stopped in the course of the first-half because it was recommended that Semenyo was racially abused by a supporter, the Cherries instantly appeared like that had been the group who was going to go on and bag a late winner.
Pressured to go about issues the problem means right here, it was forgotten man Federico Chiesa who proved to be Liverpool’s shock hero on Friday night time because the Italian worldwide powered house within the 88th-minute.
There was then time for reigning Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah to open his account for the 2025/26 marketing campaign because the Egyptian record-breaking produced a trademark end late in stoppage time.
Though Liverpool might need finally dragged themselves over the ending line in a spectacular trend right here, Slot will know that there are many enhancements that have to be made.
On an evening when Liverpool acquired the defence of the Premier League crown underway with an action-packed affair, now we have taken a have a look at the principle speaking factors from Anfield.
Defensive complications will probably be there for Slot
Ultimately clinching their history-making twentieth home crown final season holding a commanding 10-point buffer over silver medalists Arsenal, it’s no secret that Liverpool opened up the brand new marketing campaign pencilled in as a standout contender to safe consecutive English titles for the primary time in over 4 a long time.
Nonetheless, though the Reds might need finally dragged themselves over the ending line in probably the most dramatic of trend right here, the previous Feyenoord boss will probably be desperately trying to find some essential defensive stability.
Regardless of avoiding what would have been an notorious opening weekend collapse and finally notching a quartet of strikes on Friday night time, Bournemouth definitely requested some critical questions and highlighted some underlining points.
Watching their Champions League journey come to an finish again in March as they fell to a 2-1 mixture defeat towards eventual winners PSG, Friday’s hosts have now shipped a pair of targets of their back-to-back appearances over the previous week.
Likewise, signing off the 2024/25 marketing campaign with a 1-1 stalemate towards Crystal Palace, Liverpool additionally mustered only a single clear sheet from any of their remaining eight Premier League matchups.
Ekitike runs the present on his Premier League debut
Though Slot’s facet might need proven some actual defensive points on Friday night time, followers round Anfield will definitely be excited by the fast affect that their new quantity 9 has made.
Opening his Liverpool account with a Neighborhood Defend strike at Wembley towards Crystal Palace final weekend, Ekitike couldn’t have dreamed of a greater begin to life amongst England’s elite.
Though fellow new recruit and £116million arrival Florain Wirtz might need didn’t make a lot of an affect on his respective Premier League debut right here, the French starlet definitely stole the present on Merseyside.
Handed a standing ovation when changed simply after the Seventieth-minute mark, the previous Eintracht Frankfurt ace efficiently opened his Premier League account on the first try and put in what was an actual Man of the Match efficiency.
Whereas Liverpool would possibly stay firmly on the coronary heart of Alexander Isak’s ongoing switch saga with Newcastle, some round Anfield is likely to be beginning to marvel if the Swedish worldwide is absolutely wanted earlier than the summer time switch window slams shut.
Semenyo virtually evokes an iconic Anfield comeback
Though Bournemouth might need finally fallen brief of their bid to finish what would have been a well-known opening weekend comeback towards the defending champions, Andoni Iraola’s facet will take loads of positives away from an attention grabbing efficiency.
Regardless of struggling to seek out any actual fluidity in the course of the remaining few months of the 2024/25 marketing campaign as they didn’t e book an iconic European ticket, Friday’s friends did obtain loads of plaudits from throughout England’s elite.
Successful only a trio of their remaining 15 appearances throughout all competitions inside 90 minutes final season, the previous Rayo Vallecano boss is aware of that stability is vital this time round.
Watching Semenyo put pen to paper on a bumper new deal on the Vitality final month and opening his Premier League account with a stellar brace at Anfield, Bournemouth will probably be assured of dusting themselves down rapidly.
Seeking to mount one other European cost this season, the Cherries will probably be subsequent seen in eight days time once they welcome Wolves to the South Coast.
Match Report
Liverpool: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike
Subs: Robertson, Jones, Chiesa, Endo, Gomez
Bournemouth: Petrovic, Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Tavernier, Brooks, Semenyo, Evanilson
Subs: Hill, Traore, Winterburn, Kroupi
Objectives: Liverpool: Ekitike (39’), Gakpo (49’), Chiesa (88’), Salah (90+4’) – Bournemouth: Semenyo (64’, 76’)
Yellow Playing cards: Liverpool: Kerkez – Bournemouth: Evanilson, Brooks
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Anthony Taylor
