Liverpool vs Bournemouth Match Review and Player Ratings – Premier League 2025/26

Liverpool vs Bournemouth Match Review: Liverpool opened the season with a thrilling 4–2 win over visiting Bournemouth on a night of celebration, sorrow and controversy at Anfield. New signing Hugo Ekitiké enjoyed a dream debut as he put PSV in front after 37 minutes and then set up Cody Gakpo on the stroke of half-time. The game threatened to boil over in the second half when Antoine Semenyo was racially abused by the stands, which led to a temporary halt.

Semenyo hit back with a vengeance, twice finding the net in 17 minutes to drag Bournemouth level and highlight chinks in the Liverpool defensive armour. Anfield, hushed and anxious, had seen the champions wobbling on the verge of a point dropped. But, as happens so often, Liverpool figured out a way. Substitute Federico Chiesa smashed in a superb 88th-minute volley to shift the momentum again before Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time effort that maintained his record of scoring in every Premier League opening weekend that he has played since joining the club.

It didn’t quite turn out like our preview, but it was a great spectacle.

Result: Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth, Premier League opening weekend at Anfield.

Goalscorers:

Liverpool: Hugo Ekitiké (37’), Cody Gakpo (42’), Federico Chiesa (88’), Mohamed Salah (90+1’)

Bournemouth: Antoine Semenyo (55’, 72’)

Liverpool vs Bournemouth Match Review and Tactical Review

Liverpool started the defence of their Premier League title with a 4-2 win against Bournemouth at Anfield, although what should have been a routine opening night was instead packed with emotion, controversy and drama of the highest order.

The evening began in a more solemn manner as Anfield stood to remember Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who died in July. A huge mosaic with his name adorning the Kop, the stadium fell into silence and Liverpool confirmed his number 20 shirt would be retired at every level of the game.

It was a moment that crystallised the match itself. A sombre reminder of grief and togetherness that lingered over the stadium all afternoon.

Once football did start, Liverpool seized the initiative. Their new striker Hugo Ekitiké took just 37 minutes to write his name into Anfield history. Ghosting in between Bournemouth’s centre-backs, where he latched on to neat build-up play from Jeremie Frimpong and guided a crisp low finish into the far corner. The Kop roared as if in response to a saviour. Five minutes later he displayed another aspect of his game as he dropped deep to pick up possession before sliding a perfectly weighted through ball for Cody Gakpo, who cut inside and curled a shot past Petrovic. At 2-0, Liverpool seemed untouchable, their front three purring, their football that of champions.

But the story of the game was far from done. The mood turned darker early in the second half. Racist abuse of Antoine Semenyo from the crowd forced the game to be stopped briefly, an unsavoury reality that is now the subject of an investigation. It would have defeated some players. However, Semenyo replied in the most defiant manner imaginable. In the 55th minute he outpaced Ibrahima Konaté to volley Marcus Tavernier’s cross beyond Alisson to drag Bournemouth back into the game. Rattled, Liverpool started to lose their defensive structure.

Their high line seemed frighteningly exposed. Seventeen minutes later, they were punished once more. Ryan Christie stormed through the midfield and played the ball into space for Semenyo, who had split Konaté and Van Dijk with an angled run to send a shot across Alisson. The away end erupted; Anfield hushed. From dominance to disaster, Liverpool had been reeled back to 2-2, their frailty exposed, and Semenyo (the player once told he was the target of hatred) had muted that hatred with two cold-eyed goals.

With the game winding down, Bournemouth were being forced deeper and deeper in an effort to hold on to what would have been an enormous point. But with Liverpool, the late drama is never far behind. A half-cleared cross looped to the edge of the box in the 88th minute, and Federico Chiesa, recently introduced from the bench, met it on the volley. His shot was drilled low into the corner, unstoppable, and Anfield burst into song once more – this time in relief as much as joy.

There was one more moment to come yet. In the depths of stoppage time, Liverpool broke forward once more, Gakpo setting Mohamed Salah off into the right channel. And, as he has so often, the Egyptian steadied himself before sliding a rare right-foot finish into the far corner to further his incredible record of netting on every opening weekend in the Premier League since joining.

His reaction was muted, his eyes sparkling under the floodlights, the significance of the night not lost on even Liverpool’s inspirator supremo. By the time the final whistle had sounded on the field of play, Anfield had seen something more than a game of football.

It had been an homage, an audition, and a reminder of the sport’s might and its warty hide. Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth will, in time, be recalled for Ekitiké’s dream debut, for Chiesa’s thunderous intervention, for Salah’s inevitability – but also, more than anything else, for the courage of Antoine Semenyo, a man who weaponised the hurt from racist abuse and turned it into a performance of defiance and of pride.

Liverpool Tactics

Arne Slot organised his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ekitike playing up front and once again Salah drifting in from the right. Liverpool pressed manically in the first half, suffocating Bournemouth’s build-up and forcing many turnovers right at the top of the pitch.

Ekitiké gave a clear reference point, did well to link up with Gakpo on the left and enabled Salah to tuck into goalscoring spaces. The full-back pair, Frimpong and Kerkez, went forward to overload the flanks.

Despite their dominance of possession, Liverpool were frail in defence. Konaté had problems dealing with Semenyo, whose pace and movement were effective weapons. Van Dijk found himself dragged wide often. In midfield the double pivot could not keep an effective screen, letting Bournemouth find gaps for both goals.

Slot can take encouragement from the attacking fluency but knows that conceding two similar goals from direct play is a problem.

Bournemouth Tactics

Andoni Iraola set up Bournemouth initially with a very compact 4-2-3-1, looking to soak up pressure and hit rapidly on the break through Semenyo and Tavernier.

Bournemouth were often pinned back for long periods, unable to get through Liverpool’s press. They left wide areas open, something Ekitiké and Gakpo punished.

After a break due to the racism incident, Bournemouth reconfigured and improved their press. Semenyo thrived with space to run in behind, taking advantage of Konaté and Liverpool’s perilously high defensive line. The double pivot of Christie and Cook provided energy by winning second balls, while the wingers tucked inside to force Liverpool fullbacks into awkward defensive decisions.

Bournemouth, despite its spirited fightback, still had insufficient depth on the substitutes’ bench to keep this press going late into the game. Once Liverpool retook the lead, the Cherries never looked like equalising.

Liverpool Player Ratings

Alisson Becker – 6/10: Could do little about Semenyo’s finishes, but his positioning for the second might be questioned. Distribution steady.

Jeremie Frimpong – 6/10: Energetic on the right and involved in the move for Ekitiké’s opener, but left space in behind that Bournemouth targeted.

Ibrahima Konaté – 5/10: Struggled badly against Semenyo’s pace and movement. Looked rattled and guilty of poor positioning on both goals.

Virgil van Dijk – 6/10: Better than his partner, but not commanding enough. Allowed Semenyo to split the centre-backs too easily.

Milos Kerkez – 6/10: Showed intent going forward, but defensive positioning remains raw.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7/10: Calm in possession, recycling the ball intelligently, though at times outnumbered in defensive transitions.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6/10: Neat in build-up, but faded as Bournemouth grew into the game. Needs to do more to protect the back four.

Mohamed Salah – 7/10: Quiet for spells but decisive when it mattered. Took his goal clinically in stoppage time to seal the win.

Cody Gakpo – 7/10: Well-taken goal and carried a threat throughout. Linked well with Ekitiké and pressed intelligently.

Florian Wirtz – 6/10: Direct running but lacked final product. Subdued compared to other forwards.

Hugo Ekitiké – 8/10: Dream debut: a composed finish for the opener and a clever assist for Gakpo. Constantly stretched Bournemouth’s defence.

Federico Chiesa – 7/10: Changed the game with a brilliant volley for the decisive third goal, full of energy and intent.

Curtis Jones – 6/10: Brought stability late on but limited involvement.

Joe Gomez – 6/10: Came on late to add fresh legs. Solid enough in duels, though not heavily tested after Liverpool retook control.

Wataru Endo – 6/10: Brought on to close the midfield spaces. Positioned well, broke up play twice in stoppage time, and helped see the game out.

Andrew Robertson – 6/10: Introduced to steady the defence. Gave balance on the left, delivered a couple of useful balls forward, but not his sharpest.

Bournemouth Player Ratings

Đorđe Petrović – 6/10: Steady presence between the posts; beaten by quality finishes, but limited blame for the goals at a charged Anfield.

Adam Smith – 6/10: Offered experience and organization down the right flank, though he was exposed at times by Liverpool’s energetic wide play.

Bafodé Diakité – 6/10: Physical and alert at the back, but the defensive unit collectively struggled to deal with Liverpool’s fluid attacking movements.

Marcos Senesi – 5/10: Solid tendencies marred by being drawn out of position under pressure; an early handball appeal was perhaps a lucky escape.

Adrien Truffert – 6/10: Showed promise going forward with overlapping runs, yet lacked the sharpness required to fully stifle Liverpool’s high press.

Alex Scott – 6/10: Reliable in midfield transitions and intelligently recycled possession, though often bypassed by Liverpool’s rapid passing.

Tyler Adams – 6/10: Anchored the middle with energy and discipline but couldn’t consistently screen the backline after Liverpool’s break.

Marcus Tavernier – 6/10: Created the opening for Semenyo with a smart cross; influence waned as the game tilted in Liverpool’s favour.

David Brooks – 6/10: Lively in flashes, but lacked sustained impact in breaking through Liverpool’s compact defensive setup.

Evanilson – 5/10: Offered a focal point upfront, but rarely posed the same threat level as his counterpart Ekitiké did for Liverpool.

Antoine Semenyo – 10/10: Courageously rebounded from racial abuse to deliver an inspired performance – two composed, clinical finishes that rattled Liverpool and turned the game.

Eli Junior Kroupi – 5/10: Injected some energy late on with direct running and close control. Looked lively when carrying the ball forward, though lacked the final pass to trouble Liverpool’s back line.

James Hill – 5/10: Came in to reinforce the defence after Semenyo’s equaliser. Put himself about in duels but couldn’t prevent Chiesa’s late strike.

Hamed Traorè – 6/10: Offered composure in midfield during his cameo, showing neat touches under pressure. Tried to link play on the counter but Liverpool’s dominance by that stage limited his impact.

Ben Winterburn – 4/10: Given late minutes in a tough situation at Anfield. Worked hard off the ball and pressed with intent, but too little time to change the game’s flow.

Man of the Match

Semenyo showed class as he was outstanding not only on the pitch but off it as well. The player suffered racist abuse, which caused the game to be halted temporarily. However, the strongest signal he could throw was by his football.

His pace, strength, and intelligent runs behind the Liverpool defence kept Konaté and Van Dijk constantly worried. He struck twice in the second half. Both goals came just at crucial periods, turning what had appeared an easy Liverpool victory into a really competitive game.

Although Bournemouth ultimately could not recover from their 2-0 deficit, Semenyo’s two goals, work rate and courage in such trying circumstances made him head and shoulders above any other player on view that day.

Conclusion

Liverpool will be relieved to have started their title defence with a victory versus a game Bournemouth. New signing Hugo Ekitiké was full of attacking verve, dependable Mohamed Salah got his customary goal and Federico Chiesa also looks encouraging. Arne Slot will have to move quickly if he wants to correct the defensive problems revealed by Semenyo.

Bournemouth left the game empty-handed but a measure of contentment could be taken from Antoine Semenyo, turning a night steeped in racist abuse into one that will be remembered for his fighting spirit. Although the result was not kind to them, Iraola’s men showed that they can trouble any team this season.

Next up, Liverpool face Newcastle United away, their first test away from Anfield. Bournemouth next welcome Wolverhampton to the Vitality Stadium.

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