LIVERPOOL struck twice late on as
they opened the defence of their Premier League title with a dramatic victory
over Bournemouth on an emotional night at Anfield.
Tributes were paid before and during the game to Diogo
Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a car crash in July, with a
minute's silence observed before kick-off and applause in the 20th minute - the
forward having worn Liverpool's number 20 jersey.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot gave first Premier
League starts to four of his summer recruits, and it was Hugo Ekitike - a £70m
signing from Eintracht Frankfurt - who broke Bournemouth's stubborn resistance
with a composed finish eight minutes before the break.
And when Ekitike turned provider to set up Cody Gakpo
for a second four minutes after the break, Liverpool looked on course for a
comfortable victory.
Referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the first half
when Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported that he had been racially
abused by a member of the crowd.
And it was Semenyo, showing great character and
resolve, who put Bournemouth back in contention when he pulled a goal back from
close range after 64 minutes, before crowning a swift break with the equaliser
14 minutes from time.
The Cherries looked set to snatch a point until the
unlikely figure of Federico Chiesa steered home his first Premier League goal
for Liverpool two minutes from time, Mohamed Salah wrapping up the win with a
low finish in front of The Kop.