ليفربول beat بورنموث 4-2 in the first game of the الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز season on an emotional evening at Anfield in which they paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota.
The game may have been a classic but it was overshadowed by a report of racist abuse against Antoine Semenyo.
After 10 minutes, Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi was remarkably fortunate to stay on the pitch as he clearly handled the ball as Hugo Ekitike attempted to run beyond him. However, VAR did not agree, and a free-kick was given to the Cherries instead, prompting a great deal of indignation from the Reds players, and understandably so.
On the half-hour mark, a delay occurred, after Semenyo reported an alleged incident of racial abuse, with both managers made aware of the situation.
Six minutes later, the Reds had the lead, as Hugo Ekitike burst beyond Senesi, via a bobbled challenge, and fired an effort low into the bottom corner.
And three minutes after the restart, Liverpool had a second; Ekitike fed Cody Gakpo, who dropped a shoulder, beat two Bournemouth defenders, and found the bottom corner in truly superb موضة.
On the hour, Florian Wirtz almost capped his classy debut with a goal but his effort from the edge of the box dribbled past the post. Within 60 seconds of that chance, Szoboszlai lost the ball in midfield and Bournemouth broke, with Semenyo finishing from close-range.
And the Cherries completed an incredible comeback in the 75th minute as Semenyo completed his brace in glorious fashion, finishing a 60-yard dash from his own half with a brilliant low drive. Ibrahima Konate has plenty of questions to answer, as he roundly failed to get near his man before his shot found the net.
Nevertheless, Liverpool would not be denied, and Federico Chiesa, on as a substitute, restored their lead in the 88th minute thanks to a brilliant, instinctive volley after a failed Bournemouth clearance.
And there was still time for a classic Mohamed Salah slalom and finish to cap a decisive win for the Reds.
BALLGM rates Liverpool’s players from Anfield…
Liverpool beat Bournemouth 4-2 in the first game of the Premier League season on an emotional evening at Anfield in which they paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota.
The game may have been a classic but it was overshadowed by a report of racist abuse against Antoine Semenyo.
After 10 minutes, Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi was remarkably fortunate to stay on the pitch as he clearly handled the ball as Hugo Ekitike attempted to run beyond him. However, VAR did not agree, and a free-kick was given to the Cherries instead, prompting a great deal of indignation from the Reds players, and understandably so.
On the half-hour mark, a delay occurred, after Semenyo reported an alleged incident of racial abuse, with both managers made aware of the situation.
Six minutes later, the Reds had the lead, as Hugo Ekitike burst beyond Senesi, via a bobbled challenge, and fired an effort low into the bottom corner.
And three minutes after the restart, Liverpool had a second; Ekitike fed Cody Gakpo, who dropped a shoulder, beat two Bournemouth defenders, and found the bottom corner in truly superb fashion.
On the hour, Florian Wirtz almost capped his classy debut with a goal but his effort from the edge of the box dribbled past the post. Within 60 seconds of that chance, Szoboszlai lost the ball in midfield and Bournemouth broke, with Semenyo finishing from close-range.
And the Cherries completed an incredible comeback in the 75th minute as Semenyo completed his brace in glorious fashion, finishing a 60-yard dash from his own half with a brilliant low drive. Ibrahima Konate has plenty of questions to answer, as he roundly failed to get near his man before his shot found the net.
Nevertheless, Liverpool would not be denied, and Federico Chiesa, on as a substitute, restored their lead in the 88th minute thanks to a brilliant, instinctive volley after a failed Bournemouth clearance.
And there was still time for a classic Mohamed Salah slalom and finish to cap a decisive win for the Reds.
بالجم rates Liverpool’s players from Anfield…
Alisson Becker (6/10):
Well-beaten by Semenyo’s excellent finishes. One long-range ping set Salah away but he couldn’t finish. Always in control of his area but will be disappointed with the performances in front of him.
Jeremie Frimpong (6/10):
Did reasonably well up against Brooks but didn’t have much chance to burst into the attacking third and show his range of qualities in the final third. Replaced by Endo.
Ibrahima Konate (2/10):
Awful. Konate was all at sea throughout, from his first kick, as he played a backpass out for a corner, to his complete failure to get near Semenyo when he ran through to equalise. ريال مدريد have been linked; he’d better hope they didn’t watch this game.
Virgil van Dijk (5/10):
Headed over from close-range early on. Played Semenyo onside as he pulled a goal back and was left out to dry by Konate for Bournemouth’s equalier.
Milos Kerkez (5/10):
Playing against his former club. Was clearly up for the fight but was booked for a wild lunge on Smith towards the end of the first-half. Subbed on the hour. An enthusiastic, if somewhat ill-disciplined, debut.
Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):
Played Ekitike through for his opener, even if he did have a fortunate bounce of the ball. Forced a brilliant save with a 25-yard thunderbolt and got stuck into the opposition whenever he was called upon. Subbed.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):
Some absolutely terrific long-range passing, although he lost the ball before Bournemouth scored and had no time to rush back. Fantastic when Liverpool had the ball, but struggled a little with the Cherries’ intensity in possession.
Mohamed Salah (7/10):
Somewhat muted. He is clearly still getting to grips with Liverpool’s new attacking unit. He retains a remarkable threat, though, and scored a brilliant solo goal late on to give Liverpool a 4-2 win.
Florian Wirtz (7/10):
So elegant on the ball. Dragged an effort wide seconds before Bournemouth’s equaliser. Made multiple key passes; he could well become the heartbeat of this team. Subbed at 2-2 for Chiesa.
Hugo Ekitike (9/10):
Fine finish to give Liverpool the lead, keeping his cool in a one-on-one after capitalising on Senesi’s weak challenge. Smart assist for Gakpo’s finish, too. A dream debut.
Cody Gakpo (8/10):
Scored brilliantly, driving through challenges and finishing with real precision into the bottom corner. Dominated in the air in a performance filled with physicality.
Wataru Endo (6/10):
Came on at right-back on the hour but moved into midfield once Gomez came on. His versatility is vital.
Andrew Robertson (6/10):
Replaced Kerkez. Got up and down when he could.
Joe Gomez (6/10):
On for Ekitike. Slipped into defence.
Curtis Jones (6/10):
Replaced Mac Allister. Slotted into midfield but could not match his impact.
Federico Chiesa (8/10):
On for Wirtz. Essentially won the game in the 88th minute with a superb volley after a failed Cherries clearance.
Arne Slot (7/10):
Substituting Wirtz for Chiesa looked like an odd move at the time but it won the Reds the game, as the Italian scored a brilliant volley with just two minutes left. There are issues to address – not least the Reds’ frantic defending – but a win is a win.
