The start of the season in the Premier League between Liverpool and Bournemouth was marked by memory of Diogo Jota. Afterwards, Liverpool helped two late hits to victory.
Hugo Ekastens (37th minute) and Cody Gakpo (49th) ensured an apparently calming leadership of the master on match day 1 with their goals on the Angard Road. But the strong guests from Bournemouth made up for the deficit in the final phase with two goals from Antoine Semenyo (64th, 76th). Substitute Federico Chiesa (88th) and Mo Salah (90.+6) made Liverpools win with their late goals.
The first game of the season was all about memory of Diogo Jota, who was fatally crashed in early July. Even before the kick -off, it became very emotional on the Angeld Road: Everywhere in the stadium, scarves and posters were seen in honor of the Portuguese and his also deceased brother André Silva. Among other things with the words “Nunca Andará Soczinho” – the Portuguese translation of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
Emotional commemoration of Diogo Jota in Anfield
The famous club anthem was a little more solemn than usual by the fans, Liverpool’s players had gathered arm in arm on the center circle. “I hardly see someone in the stadium who doesn’t have tears in their eyes. What a moving moment”said Liverpool’s ex-professional Stephen Warnock, who followed the game for BBC Radio 5 live in Anfield.
After a minute’s silence, the game started – and Liverpool immediately took control. The champion had strengthened the squad in summer for more than 300 million euros. The four crimsmen among the new additions, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitens, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, were all in the start formation at the league start.
The first two major chances had two of the established: Salah, the best scorer of the past season, would have opened the new season with a goal for a hair. But Bournemouth goalkeeper Dordje Petrovic steered Salah’s shot over the crossbar with a large act (6th minute). Immediately afterwards, Virgil van Dijk narrowly missed the lead.
But Bournemouth also quickly came into play. Antoine Semenyo won the running duel against Kerkez and stood freely in front of keeper Alisson Becker, but put the ball over the crossbar.
Liverpools newly formed defense, with the ex-Leverkusen Frimpong and Kerkez on the outer lanes, still had a recognizable coordination difficulties. Another newcomer struck: Ekismens initiated the goal himself with a pass on Alexis Mac Allister, drained energetically into the penalty area and, as with the community Shield, hit the lead-this time it was his debut goal in the Premier League.
While DFB star Wirtz, posted behind the tips in a central position, remained unobtrusive in the first half and was still looking for his role, Ekismen made the strongest impression under Liverpool’s new. The former Frankfurter was also involved in the second goal shortly after the restart, set the ball on the corner of the penalty area and put across Gakpo. Liverpool’s second best striker last season completed with a placed shot into the far corner.
Bournemouth with strong comeback
Bournemouth undeterred, the “Cherries” also searched for their chances of their quick switching game – and were successful after a little more than an hour: After a cross from David Brooks, Semenyo was faster than Van Dijk and Robertson and also overcame Alisson to the goal.
The game as a result is completely open, Liverpool’s defense with problems: Brooks had the next good chance, but his shot from a short distance was blocked at the last moment. Liverpool strengthened the offensive, but left the guests too much space for their counterattacks: Again it was Semenyo who crowned a strong speed run into the corner a quarter of an hour before the end.
Chiesa ensures happy ending on the Anfield Road
Liverpool after compensation with angry attacks: Dominik Szoboszlai had the chance to lead again, but failed due to Petrovic. It was then the substitute Chiesa, who also provided a personal happy ending on the Anfield Road: the Italian, barely with minutes of application last season, used a confusing situation in the penalty area two minutes before the end and pressed the ball to the acclaimed 3-2 over the line. Salah removed the last doubts with the fourth goal in added time.