The beginning and end of the match were full of emotions. The late footballer Diego Jota was remembered by everyone from the footballers to the spectators. And in the middle of the game, there was a full-blown exciting football package. In a fight in which the defending champion of the English Premier League, Liverpool, had the last laugh. There was also racist behavior in a match, to which Bournemouth forward Antoine Semedo scored a goal.
The 2025-26 Premier League season kicked off at Anfield on Friday night with a match of champions. Arne Slott’s Liverpool doubled their lead midway through the second half. However, they managed to avoid any points. They scored two more goals to level the score at 2-2. Liverpool’s debutant Hugo Ekiti, Kodi Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah scored in a 4-2 win. On the other hand, Semenyo scored both of Bournemouth’s goals.
At the beginning, the whole Anfield remembered the Liverpool star Jota, who died in a car accident in Spain with his younger brother a month ago. Then, four minutes after the referee blew the whistle, the Allreds had their first chance. However, Salah’s powerful shot was blocked by the Bournemouth goalkeeper. Then, Virgil van Dijk’s head went over the crossbar. In the middle, there was a problem with the racist behavior of a spectator. The game was stopped for a while. Both captains and coaches continued to talk about such an unwanted incident aimed at Bournemouth’s Ghanaian striker Semenyo.
Then came the deadlock-breaking goal of the match in the 37th minute. Abhishek Ekiti gave Liverpool the lead. The 23-year-old forward, after exchanging the ball with Alexis McAllister, entered the box and took a shot. The goalkeeper fell to one side and watched the goal as a spectator. Liverpool doubled their lead in the fourth minute of the second half. This time, Ekiti passed to Gakpoke. The Dutch forward overcame the defender’s obstacle and scored with a low shot. A couple of minutes later, McAllister’s shot was saved by the Bournemouth goalkeeper.
Semino, who had been subjected to racist abuse, reduced the gap in the 64th minute by receiving a ball from his teammate in the box. His double goal brought Bournemouth back to level in the 76th minute. This time, the 25-year-old Ghanaian footballer took a powerful shot from outside the box. After replacing Florian Wirtz, Chiesa gave Liverpool the lead again in the 88th minute, entering the box and volleying into the net. Salah put the finishing touch. He controlled a cross from his teammate and entered the box, bypassing a defender and sending the ball between two players into the net.
FAQ
Why was the Liverpool vs Bournemouth match emotional?
The match began with tributes to Liverpool forward Diego Jota, who tragically died in a car accident a month earlier.
What was the final score of the match?
Liverpool defeated Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield in the 2025-26 Premier League season opener.
Who scored Liverpool’s goals?
Hugo Ekiti (debut goal), Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Mohamed Salah scored for Liverpool.
Who scored for Bournemouth?
Antoine Semenyo scored both goals for Bournemouth, despite facing racist abuse from a section of the crowd.
