Liverpool beat Bournemouth in six-goal thriller as heroes new and old star – 7 talking points

LIVERPOOL 4-2 BOURNEMOUTH: The Premier League champions looked set to stutter to an opening-night draw before goals from Federico Chiesa and Mo Salah saved the day

Liverpool’s Premier League title defence got off to a dramatic start as the champions clinched a 4-2 win at home to Bournemouth. New signing Hugo Ekitike scored one and set up another either side of half-time, putting Arne Slot’s men on course for victory.

But Antoine Semenyo had other ideas. The Bournemouth star, who’d reported a racist comment by a member of the crowd in the first half, scored a quick-fire double and looked to have earned the Cherries a hard-earned draw after a summer of selling their best assets.

Federico Chiesa had the last laugh, though. His first Premier League goal was one to remember, scoring an 88th-minute volley to snatch all three points before Mo Salah wrapped it up with a piece of individual brilliance.

Prior to kick-off, tributes were paid to former Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, who both died in a car crash earlier this summer. Liverpool fans were given cards to hold up and create a mosaic while there was a poignant minute’s silence following an emotional rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

Here are seven talking points from Anfield.

READ MORE: Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister reveals how Arne Slot stepped up during personal difficultiesREAD MORE: Liverpool continue summer spending as £26m Giovanni Leoni transfer completed

1. Liverpool baffled by VAR decision

Oh, VAR. How we haven’t missed you. Just 13 minutes into the season, we had our first moment of controversy when Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi handled the ball on the halfway line with no team-mate behind him.

Hugo Ekitke would’ve been through on goal with an entire half to run into after Mo Salah’s teasing pass, but Senesi managed to divert the ball by using his outstretched hand. Anthony Taylor didn’t blow for a foul, though, prompting huge appeals from Liverpool’s players.

VAR had a look but agreed with Taylor’s on-field decision – insisting that it wasn’t an obvious denying of a goalscoring opportunity – and their explanation left Jamie Carragher fuming on commentary for Sky Sports. “We can hear what the VAR are saying. They’re saying it’s come off his leg and hit his hand like you can’t do anything about it. But it’s not,” Carragher said.

“He realises he’s got a massive problem and he puts his arm towards the ball. How the VAR can say that? I really don’t like seeing people sent off, that’s a last resort. But what I’ve just heard from the VAR did not happen. There’s plenty of time and he throws his hand at it. The information the referee got was not correct.”

2. Semenyo reports racist comment

Either side of the handball incident, it remained an end-to-end affair, with Liverpool enjoying more of the opportunities. But the game was paused just before the half-hour mark after Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo reported to Taylor that he’d been racially abused by a member of the crowd.

The referee stopped the match and spoke to both managers, Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola. Play continued around two minutes later and soon enough came the game’s first goal.

The Premier League later said in a statement: “We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.”

3. Ekitike opens his Premier League account

Who needs Alexander Isak? Hugo Ekitike has started with a bang at Liverpool, having scored after just four minutes in Sunday’s Community Shield. It took a little longer this time, as the French striker received the ball from Alexis Mac Allister in midfield and bound through on goal.

There was some fortune as Senesi’s block saw the ball cannon back off Ekitike and through the Bournemouth backline. But there was no luck about the finish, as Liverpool’s £79million signing sent Djordje Petrovic the wrong way and calmly placed the ball into the back of the net to ensure that it was 1-0 at half-time.

His celebration included a tribute to Jota. Ektike held up two fingers with his right hand and made a zero shape with his left.

4. He doesn’t just do goals

If Isak were to be arrive, likely for a British-record fee, then Ekitike will have a fight on his hands to be Liverpool’s first-choice striker. Fortunately for the 23-year-old, he’s handy out wide.

As Liverpool started the second half with intent, Ekitike peeled towards the left and was found by fellow new signing Milos Kerkez. Drawing Bournemouth’s attention, it allowed Cody Gakpo to come in from out wide and run onto Ekitike’s layoff.

The Dutch forward darted in across the 18-yard line and produced a powerful right-footed finish which beat Petrovic, making it 2-0 just four minutes after the restart. The goal reminded us of Gakpo’s finishing and highlighted Ekitike’s creative side.

5. Liverpool’s growing concern exposed

With 11 goals conceded across their five pre-season friendlies and the Community Shield, questions have been asked about Liverpool’s defensive solidity. The Reds have brought in Jeremie Frimpong and Kerkez as their new full-backs but both of them had just been subbed off when Semenyo pulled one back for Bournemouth.

The Cherries produced a rapid counter attack which was finished by the Ghana international, reducing the deficit. All night, Liverpool were susceptible to attacks, with Ibrahima Konate’s performance particularly concerning for the champions.

But Semenyo wasn’t done. This time leading the counter attack, Bournemouth’s star drove through the middle and had options to his right and left as Konate scurried back in front of him.

Semenyo chose to go alone, though, powering an effort past Alisson Becker and making it 2-2. “He’s been shocking,” Carragher bemoaned on commentary, as Konate and his Liverpool team-mates had to dust themselves down.

6. Chiesa saves the day

Who else but… Federico Chiesa? Largely anonymous in his first season at Anfield, he’s the hero day from one this time. Brought on for club-record signing Florian Wirtz, the Italian substitute chose the perfect time to score his first Premier League goal.

After Salah’s cross was palmed away by Petrovic, a mixed-up clearance from Bournemouth saw the ball fall kindly to Chiesa. The former Juventus man shaped up for a volley and fired past the Cherries’ goalkeeper, restoring Liverpool’s lead in the 88th minute.

7. Salah extends opening-day record

Goal: Salah. It’s what we’ve read every opening weekend since the Egyptian king signed for Liverpool in 2017. And it was nearly no longer.

Salah barely had a sniff all night but give him one chance and he’ll usually take it. A dazzling solo effort in the 94th minute means that his opening-day record remains intact. Good job he signed that contract.

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