Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Chiesa nets late winner, Ekitike & Salah on target

Liverpool struck twice late on as they opened the defence of their Premier League title with a dramatic victory over Bournemouth on an emotional 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 was forced to stop 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 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.

Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Brooke, Tavernier, Semenyo, Evanilson.

Subs: Dennis, Araujo, Soler, Kroupi, Hill, Traore, Billing, Winterburn, Rees-Dottin.