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Introduction
Liverpool opened their 2025–26 Premier League campaign in style on Friday night, but it wasn’t without drama. Anfield was treated to a rollercoaster of a match as the Reds edged AFC Bournemouth 4-2, thanks to two late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah.
It was a night that had almost everything dream debuts, quick-fire strikes, a tense comeback, and a raucous late finish that left the home fans in full voice. Arne Slot’s men will take plenty of positives from the victory, but they will also know there’s work to be done to tighten up defensively.
A Fresh Start with a Fresh Line-Up
Arne Slot made just one change from the side that featured in last weekend’s Community Shield, with Alexis Mac Allister coming into the starting XI. Joe Gomez returned to the bench, while there were league debuts for Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Florian Wirtz.
The starting eleven lined up with Alisson Becker in goal, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in central defence, and Kerkez on the left. Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Wirtz formed the midfield, with Salah, Gakpo, and Ekitike leading the attack.
Early Intent and a Breakthrough Before Half-Time
Liverpool began brightly, looking sharp in possession and dangerous down the flanks. Ekitike had the first notable chance, testing Djordje Petrovic from range. Salah followed with a more threatening effort after cutting in from the right, forcing the Bournemouth keeper into a smart stop.
Van Dijk came close twice with headers, but Bournemouth had their moments too. Adrien Truffert’s dangerous delivery nearly found Antoine Semenyo at the back post, and Marcus Tavernier’s cutback to Adam Smith brought Alisson into action.
The breakthrough finally came in the 41st minute, and it was worth the wait. On his Anfield league debut, Hugo Ekitike showed great determination to drive through the Cherries defence. The ball broke kindly back to him and he kept his composure, slotting into the net to send the Kop into celebration.
Ekitike nearly doubled his tally just two minutes later, meeting Gakpo’s cross with a header that flew just over the bar. The first half ended with Liverpool in front, but Bournemouth had shown enough to suggest the second half would not be straightforward.
Gakpo Doubles the Lead
The Reds wasted no time after the restart. Ekitike and Gakpo combined beautifully, with Gakpo finishing clinically into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. It was a move that highlighted Liverpool’s fluid attacking play, and at 2-0 the home side looked to be cruising.
Mac Allister tried his luck from distance, drawing another save from Petrovic, and Wirtz came close with a curling effort that went narrowly wide. But Bournemouth weren’t going to fade away quietly.
Semenyo Strikes Twice to Stun Anfield
On 64 minutes, the Cherries hit back. David Brooks broke down the left and delivered a perfect low ball into the path of Semenyo, who finished past Alisson with precision. The goal injected life into the visitors and silenced the crowd for a moment.
Then came the shock. With 14 minutes to play, Semenyo sprinted from his own half, exploiting space behind Liverpool’s defence. His low strike beat Alisson again, and suddenly Bournemouth were level at 2-2.
Anfield’s atmosphere changed instantly from confident celebration to tense apprehension. Bournemouth smelled an upset, while Liverpool needed to regroup quickly.
Chiesa’s Impact and Salah’s Final Word
Arne Slot turned to his bench, and in the 82nd minute Federico Chiesa entered the fray. His impact was immediate. With just two minutes of normal time left, Salah swung in a cross that caused chaos in the box. The ball fell loose and Chiesa reacted first, volleying into the net. The roar from the crowd was deafening as Liverpool reclaimed the lead.
The drama wasn’t over. In stoppage time, Salah got his own reward. Receiving the ball in the box, he shifted onto his right foot and curled a shot into the far corner. It was the perfect way to seal the win and put a firm stamp on the scoreline.
From 2-2 to 4-2 in the space of six minutes, Liverpool had turned a nervy ending into a statement opening-day victory.
Standout Performances
Hugo Ekitike could hardly have asked for a better Premier League debut. His first goal in front of the Kop showed sharp instincts and calm finishing, while his assist for Gakpo’s goal underlined his link-up quality.
Cody Gakpo looked sharp and decisive, taking his goal with confidence and showing great movement off the ball. Salah was heavily involved throughout, creating Chiesa’s goal and scoring one of his own.
Chiesa’s cameo also deserves praise coming on late in a tight match and delivering the decisive blow is exactly what managers hope for from their substitutes.
At the back, Van Dijk was commanding in the air, though Liverpool’s defensive line will be frustrated at how easily Semenyo found space for his brace.
Lessons for Liverpool
While the attacking display will please Arne Slot, the defensive lapses in the second half will give him something to think about. Bournemouth’s goals came from quick transitions, an area Liverpool will want to tighten before tougher tests arrive.
The resilience shown to come back and win, however, speaks volumes about the team’s mentality. In previous seasons, matches like this might have slipped away, but the Reds kept pushing and were rewarded in the end.
Bournemouth’s Brave Effort
For Bournemouth, this was a performance that showed promise despite the defeat. Antoine Semenyo’s pace and finishing will be a handful for many defences this season. David Brooks’ creativity and work rate also stood out.
Andoni Iraola’s side can take encouragement from the way they clawed their way back into the match against one of the league’s strongest teams. If they can build on this spirit and cut out the late lapses, they could be set for a positive campaign.
The Bigger Picture
Opening-day wins are always valuable, but the manner of this one will give Liverpool confidence heading into the next fixtures. The squad looks refreshed with the addition of new faces, and the late-game heroics will only help build momentum.
Anfield will be buzzing not just about the three points, but about the new attacking options on display. Ekitike and Chiesa have already shown they can make a difference, while Gakpo and Salah continue to deliver.
Final Whistle Thoughts
Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth was a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football. From the comfort of a two-goal lead to the shock of being pegged back, and finally the joy of sealing victory in dramatic fashion, it was a match that had the fans on an emotional ride.
The Reds have set the tone for the season exciting, relentless, and with plenty of firepower. If they can add defensive stability to match their attacking flair, this could be a campaign to remember.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com