LIVERPOOL survived a stubborn fightback from Bournemouth as the Reds opened the defence of their English Premier League title with a dramatic 3-2 victory on an emotional Friday 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.
Egypt forward Salah set a record with his strike, becoming the first player in Premier League history to score 10 opening day goals.
Salah, in tears after the match, dedicated his goal, his 187th in the Premier League (level with Manchester United great Andy Cole), to Jota with one of the late forward’s trademark celebrations.