Liverpool began their Premier League title defense in dramatic fashion, defeating Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield on Friday, August 15, 2025, in a match heavy with emotion and tension.
The evening opened with a heartfelt tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, as fans held a minute’s silence and sang in unison to honor them.
New signing Hugo Ekitike made an immediate impact on his league debut, scoring in the 37th minute before setting up Cody Gakpo early in the second half.
The match took a darker turn when Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo reported racist abuse from the crowd. Play was halted briefly, with authorities ejecting a suspect and launching an investigation. As the match continued, Semenyo responded with two composed goals as he secured one in the 64th minute and another with a spectacular solo run 12 minutes later leveling the score and silencing Anfield.
Liverpool found their timing when it mattered most. Federico Chiesa, introduced from the bench, struck an 88th-minute volley to regain the lead. Mohamed Salah capped the evening with a stoppage-time goal, tying Andy Cole in fourth place on the Premier League’s all-time scoring list and celebrated with Jota’s signature “shark” move amid a wave of emotion.
Post-match, both managers and team captains strongly condemned the racist incident. Merseyside Police and anti-discrimination groups, including Kick It Out, pledged full support for the ongoing investigation.
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