Liverpool Scatter Bournemouth 4-2 for Premier League Opener: All di Key Moments
Na one ogbonge match wey get plenty drama and emotions Liverpool play for Anfield as dem knack Bournemouth 4-2 to open di 2025/26 Premier League season.
Dis game no be just football; e carry heavy emotional weight as fans honor di late Diogo Jota, wey die for car crash with him brother André Silva for July.
But even with di mourning, di Reds show say dem be champions with late comeback wey Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah lead. Make we waka through di key moments of dis thriller in pidgin.
Di Emotional Start: Tribute to Diogo Jota
Before di match even start, Anfield dey heavy with emotions. Fans from both sides—Liverpool and Bournemouth—come together to honor Diogo Jota and him brother André Silva.
Dem hold one minute silence wey everybody respect, and di Kop raise mosaics wey write “DJ 20” and “AS 30” to show love for Jota and him brother. Banners for di stands carry names of Jota wife and pikin dem, to assure dem say Anfield go always be their home.
Throughout di game, fans sing Jota song, and e touch everybody heart, even players like Salah wey dem see with tears for eye after di match. Liverpool don even retire Jota No. 20 jersey, with more permanent tributes wey dem plan.
Ekitike Shine for Him Debut
Di game start with Liverpool new boy, Hugo Ekitike, wey dem sign from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69 million, showing say him no come to play small.
For 38th minute, Ekitike collect pass from Alexis Mac Allister, dribble pass Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi, and coolly slot di ball past goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Dat na him first Premier League goal, and e no stop there—him dey everywhere, linking play and disturbing Bournemouth defense.
Later, for 49th minute, Ekitike set up Cody Gakpo, wey fire low shot to make am 2-0. Liverpool fans dey ginger, thinking say di game don set.
Bournemouth Fight Back with Semenyo Brace
But Bournemouth no gree lie down. Antoine Semenyo, di Ghana striker, show say him mean business.
For 64th minute, him collect low cross from David Brooks, beat Virgil van Dijk and substitute Andrew Robertson, and score to make am 2-1.
Den, for 76th minute, Salah misplace pass, and Bournemouth pounce. Hamed Traorè find Semenyo, wey run like Usain Bolt from him own half, dodge Alisson, and equalize 2-2 with cool finish.
Anfield go quiet as Bournemouth show say dem fit spoil party. Semenyo performance even spark talk say big clubs like Newcastle fit come for am before transfer window close.
Racial Abuse Allegation Shock Di Game
One sad moment happen for 30th minute when Semenyo report to referee Anthony Taylor say one fan for Main Stand racially abuse am during throw-in.
Referee stop play, stewards investigate, and dem escort one man in wheelchair out after dem check footage.
Di incident shake everybody, but Semenyo respond like warrior, scoring him two goals to show him class.
Premier League say dem go investigate di matter well-well. Dis moment cast shadow on di game, but e no stop di football drama.
Chiesa and Salah Save Di Day
When e be like say Liverpool don lose control, coach Arne Slot bring on Federico Chiesa, and di Italian no waste time.
For 88th minute, loose ball drop for Bournemouth box, and Chiesa hook one sweet volley past Petrovic to make am 3-2. Anfield explode! Den, deep for stoppage time, Mohamed Salah, wey always get opening-day goal, do him magic again. Him dart into di box and fire low shot to seal di 4-2 win.
Salah celebration in front of di Kop, with tears in him eye, show how much dis win mean, especially with Jota tribute. Dis na Salah 10th opening-day goal for Liverpool, and e prove say him still be king.
Tactical Gist and Takeaways
Liverpool play fine attacking football with Slot 4-2-3-1, using Florian Wirtz as playmaker and Ekitike as No. 9.
But dem get defensive wahala—full-backs dey push forward too much, leaving center-backs open to counterattacks. Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, use direct play and press Liverpool midfield to cause turnovers.
Semenyo speed and decision-making show say Bournemouth fit trouble big teams, but dem no fit hold di late pressure from Liverpool.
Stats show Liverpool dominate possession (61%) and shots on target (10 vs. Bournemouth 3), but dem need tighten defense for tougher matches.
Wetin Next?
Dis 4-2 win set di tone for Liverpool title defense, but e also show say dem get work to do, especially for defense. Ekitike and Chiesa prove say dem be assets, while Salah remain di main man. Bournemouth, despite di loss, show say dem go give teams headache dis season.
Next up, Liverpool go face Newcastle at St. James’ Park, where dem go meet Alexander Isak, wey dem dey rumor to want sign. For now, Anfield don exhale, but di season just dey start, and e go be one hell of a ride!