Substitute Federico Chiesa received his second touch in the 88th minute, Mohamed Salah added time in the second half, and Liverpool survived the second half of the game recovered at Bournemouth to win the first game of Anfield’s 2025/26 Premier League season.
Forward Chiesa, who had come on six minutes earlier, slashed in a volley from near the penalty spot after Bournemouth had been unable to fully clear their lines before Salah continued his unparalled record in opening matches, sending the home crowd into delirium on an emotional night following pre-match fees to late Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.
“The explosion of red relief!”
Federico Chiesa found the back of the net! đ pic.twitter.com/aywe9dvvpo
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) August 15, 2025
Hugo Ekitike hit the box in his Premier League debut 37 minutes later and raised Cody Gakpo up to charge along the edge of the box, finding a net net corner four minutes later in the half.
Antoine Semenyo then applied the expert’s score on the precise cross of David Brooks in the 64th minute and accommodated the defense with a dazzling square equalizer, quickly crossing the center from inside his half body and shooting calmly.
Antoine Semenyo pulls a one to Bournemouth
Play the game! pic.twitter.com/2c1jwpnlzf
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) August 15, 2025
Wow!
Antoine Semenyo has incredible solo goals to be available at Bournemouth in Anfield pic.twitter.com/y0uxlx6ovp
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) August 15, 2025
The game paused in the first half when the apparently frustrated Semenyo reported racist abuse by members of the crowd.
Liverpool and Bournemouth: Cherry comfort
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola hopes to strengthen his team before the transfer window closes, but Espanyol will be given a show that the Cherries will be impressed again after 2024/25 ninth place.
Evanilson shot wide before the break, and Brooks made a solid call for the Mac Allister challenge.
Both Mac Allister and Salah were given huge shots on the crossbar by New Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, and Marcos Senesi was lucky enough to be impunciled after a video assistant referee review, when the defense lawyer seemed to refuse to reject the obvious racing field at the speed of the ray shooter.
var said no, but @carra23 I believe it’s handball đ§ pic.twitter.com/ks8hoewn7s
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) August 15, 2025
Ekitike will have to go half of Bournemouth and beat Petrovic, but Senesi will likely be sent away if the decision is not done with him.
Ekitike avenged his opening match in the 37th minute, gathered Mac Allister’s pass and played in Senesi before hitting the opening goal from the box.
Cody Gakpo does two for Liverpool alone! đ pic.twitter.com/nkrlfo4ju7
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) August 15, 2025
Liverpool pays tribute to Diogo Jota
Fans held up the cards, with a minute of silence before Jota and Silva kicked off, and they were killed in a July car accident.
Liverpool retired the No. 20 shirt last season as Jota wore a shirt, and Salah burst into tears after the last whistle.
“We know it will be a very exciting time because it’s the first league game we’ve ever played since losing Diogo and Andre,” manager Arne Slot wrote in his show notes.
âAs I said before, the tributes given throughout the football community (especially in the LFC community) are really special and I know we will be together again tonight to honor them.
âIt is important that as a club, we show that they [Jotaâs family] When they deal with this most tragic situation, they will always receive our love and support. We are always there to serve them. â
Mohamed Salah Opening Day Record
Salah expanded his unparalleled record of 10 goals and 15 goals in the opening game of the season.
The Premier League best scorer now scored 12 times against Bournemouth and played against them twice when Liverpool became away on February 1.
Liverpool and Bournemouth
Many signings made their debut in the 2025/26 season.
Along with Ekitike, midfielder Florian Wirtz joins Bayer Leverkusen’s Reds, with the cost likely to rise to a British record of ÂŁ116 million.
Left back Milos Kerkez joined from Bournemouth for ÂŁ40m and right back Jeremie Frimpong signed from Leverkusen for ÂŁ29.5m.
Joe Gomez had a small fitness problem when he went out to Liverpool, and defender Conor Bradley also had hamstring problems.
Midfielder MAC Allister recovered from injury during the preseason, but Ryan Gravenberch was suspended.
Liverpool starts: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike
Liverpool alternatives: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha
Bournemouth vs. Liverpool
Bournemouth’s bow and arrows to centre-back Adrien Truffert and Bafode Diakite, arrive from Lille this week, may cost more than ÂŁ34m.
Petrovic joined from Chelsea for ÂŁ25m in July, saving a fine last week with a 0-0 friendly draw.
Diakite is Bournemouth’s second expensive signing, and has since paid Porto ÂŁ40.2 million for striker Evanilson in 2024.
Dango Ouattara was not involved and Brentford took action to Brkina Faso International.
Another range player in Elara State, Luis Sinisterra, was also out due to uncertainty about his future, and midfielder Lewis Cook was suspended and an injury could cost him two games.
Forward Justin Kluivert has a calf problem and midfielder Ryan Christie has not yet returned to the all-round.
Enes Unal is recovering from a serious knee injury suffered by the striker in January.
Bournemouth Starts: Petrovic, Smith, Senesi, Diakite, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Tavernell, Semiyo, Evan Nelson, Kroupi
Bournemouth alternative: Dennis, Araujo, Soller, Krup, Hill, Trare, Billing, Winterburn, Reese Diddin
Liverpool, Bournemouth Fixtures
Liverpool will head to Newcastle on August 25 (20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), followed by a home match against Arsenal on August 31 (16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 ET).
The Bournemouth host held on August 23 and then held Brentford in the second round of the EFL Cup (19:45 BST / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT).
