Liverpool edge Bournemouth after late twist

Liverpool come from behind to beat Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield after late goals from Chiesa and Salah, with a first-half pause for racist abuse.

Chiesa and Salah seal late win at Liverpool

On the opening night of the Premier League season, Anfield marked the return with tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother. The game was paused after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported racist abuse from a Liverpool fan, a moment that paused the action and drew a line on stadium behavior. Ekitiké, Liverpool's new £69m signing, showed quick understanding of the attack and opened the scoring after exchanging passes with teammates, and Cody Gakpo added a second early in the second half to put the champions in control.

Bournemouth mounted a fightback, with Semenyo finishing twice to level the score. Liverpool's late plan found its finish when Chiesa volleyed home in the 88th minute from a cross, and Salah added a stoppage-time goal to seal the win. The night combined football drama with a display of resilience in difficult moments, ending with Liverpool fans and players honoring Diogo Jota and his family.

The result and the timing of the goals show Liverpool can win in different ways. Ekitiké’s debut signals that the club’s spending is unlocking attacking depth and flexibility. Yet the match also underscores how quickly a game can be reshaped by a single incident and how the sport must handle abuse on and off the pitch.

Beyond the scoreline, the night highlights the tension between competition and commemoration. Clubs set emotional agendas with tributes, while supporters demand accountability. How stadiums, leagues, and clubs implement safety measures and reporting procedures will matter as the season unfolds, not just this weekend.

Highlights

The night reminds us sport lives where memory and momentum meet responsibility.