Liverpool looked nervous in defence at times, particularly in the second half, but late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah broke a tie and beat Bournemouth 4-2 in the opening weekend of Premier League play at Anfield.
First Half
Hugo Ekitiké forced a save in the 3rd minute, and Mohamed Salah did the same moments later. Bournemouth earned a corner in the 10th minute, but it was cleared. The frenetic pace continued, but neither side found the back of the net through the first 20 minutes.
Bournemouth switched to a back five, making it difficult for the Reds to find space to shoot. Liverpool did earn a corner in the 28th minute, which led to a Virgil van Dijk header. Alisson made a save in the 35th minute, and that led to an outstanding individual effort from Ekitiké. In the 37th minute, he split two defenders and side-footed the ball in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. The Cherries earned a dangerous free kick in the 43rd minute and in stoppage time, but they were both cleared as Liverpool took that 1-0 lead into the dressing room.
Second Half
Liverpool earned a corner straight away in the second half, but it was cleared. However, Cody Gakpo cut across the top of the box in the 48th minute and slotted a ball in the bottom corner for a 2-0. Alexis Mac Allister forced a save in the 52nd as Liverpool grabbed tighter and tighter control of the match.
Bournemouth earned a corner near the hour mark. Florian Wirtz put a shot just wide, and that set Bournemouth up for the counterattack. Antoine Semenyo brought in a pass from David Brooks, and he was able to finish, cutting the deficit to 2-1 in the 64th minute.
Bournemouth kept pushing for an equaliser, and they got it in the 76th minute. Semenyo carried the ball down the pitch and scored to tie the match at 2-2. The match looked to be headed for a draw, but substitute Federico Chiesa rescued three points with a volley off a rebound. Mohamed Salah sealed the deal with a strike in stoppage time to account for the 4-2 win.
Salah Starts On The Right Foot
The Egyptian King is the Premier League's most prolific scorer and assist man on the EPL's opening weekend. He now has 10 goals and 15 assists during matchday 1. His goal is also the 187th EPL strike of his career, good enough for fourth all-time.
First Impressions
With his first-half goal, Hugo Ekitiké became the 14th player in club history to score on his debut for the Reds and the first since Darwin Núñez.
“Obviously I think it was a good performance. I could do better,” Ekitiké told Sky Sports after the match. “But the most important [thing] tonight is the win and the mentality we showed. We wanted to win for the people who came tonight and for Diogo, and I think that's what we did so I'm happy for everybody. I always dreamed to play here in the Premier League, so I just enjoy every minute. It's an amazing stadium. The fans at the end when it was at 2-2, they pushed so much. Even on the bench, I enjoyed it. I wanted to be in the crowd! It's just amazing. But it's the first game, we have so much to do to get better and to reach our goals."
Chiesa Comes Through
Federico Chiesa came on as a substitute in the 82nd minute and scored the eventual game-winner just four minutes later. It was his first EPL goal.
“It is [the moment I've been waiting for]. It's a great goal,” he said “It was really emotional today and after I scored, my thoughts went to Diogo, to Andre, to his family who were here today. It was really emotional. The goal was for him.
"In my mind, I think that Diogo was somewhere in here helping me to score this goal. I'd like to think like that. He's always with us, he's going to be with us.
"It was tough today but there was a great atmosphere; the fans were amazing throughout the game. Also, I'm really grateful for the song they're singing. Really, really Emotional."
LFC Globe Verdict
Wow. What a way to start the season. Liverpool need to work on their defence, like I have said before, but they have no trouble putting the ball in the back of the net. I am sure Arne Slot will make adjustments to tighten up the defence. The recent signing of defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma should help. When the defence gets sorted, the Reds will be dangerous indeed.
Man Of The Match
Federico Chiesa. The man gets so few minutes on the pitch, and to pull off a half volley like that is remarkable. Ekitiké was solid too, with a goal and an assist, but Chiesa had the biggest impact during his time on the pitch.
What's Next?
Liverpool will travel away to St. James' Park on August 25th to face Newcastle United.
Goals
Liverpool
1. Hugo Ekitiké 37'
2. Cody Gakpo 49'
3. Federico Chiesa 88'
4. Mohamed Salah 90+'
Bournemouth
- Antoine Semenyo 64'
- Antoine Semenyo 76'
Substitutes
Liverpool
- Andy Robertson for Milos Kerkez 60'
- Wataru Endo for Jeremie Frimpong 60'
- Curtis Jones for Alexis Mac Allister 72'
- Joe Gomez for Hugo Ekitike 72'
- Federico Chiesa for Florian Wirtz 82'
Bournemouth
- Hamed Traore for Alex Scott 74'
- Ben Winterburn for David Brooks 84'
- James Hill for Adam Smith 90'
- Eli Junior Kroupi for Tyler Adams 90+'