Liverpool launched their Premier League title defence with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield, sealing the win with two goals in the closing minutes on an emotional night.

Before kick-off, Anfield paid tribute to forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically died in a car accident in July. A minute’s silence was held before the match, followed by applause in the 20th minute to honour Jota, who famously wore Liverpool’s number 20 shirt.

Arne Slot, taking charge of his first Premier League match as Liverpool head coach, handed debuts to four summer signings. The breakthrough came from Hugo Ekitike, the £70m arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt, who calmly slotted home in the 37th minute. Four minutes into the second half, Ekitike turned provider, setting up Cody Gakpo to double the lead.

The match was briefly halted in the first half when Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo reported racial abuse from the crowd. Showing remarkable composure, Semenyo responded on the pitch, pulling a goal back in the 64th minute and then equalising on 76 minutes with a clinical counter-attack finish.

Just as Bournemouth looked set to secure a point, Federico Chiesa scored his first Premier League goal for Liverpool in the 88th minute, before Mohamed Salah sealed the 4-2 win with a low strike in front of The Kop.

Final Score: Liverpool 4–2 Bournemouth
Key Scorers: Ekitike, Gakpo, Chiesa, Salah (Liverpool); Semenyo x2 (Bournemouth)