Wayne Lumbasi
The Premier League kicked off in style on Friday night, bringing back the intensity, passion, and spectacle that define England’s top flight.
At Anfield, defending champions Liverpool launched their title defence with a thrilling 4–2 victory over Bournemouth, in a game filled with emotion, fightbacks, and late heroics.
https://x.com/LFC/status/1956460130553229624?t=udZVkUnQ5HdhsfpLEs0mUQ&s=19
The evening began on a poignant note as Anfield paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother, with a heartfelt minute’s silence and a mosaic in their honour. But when the whistle blew, Liverpool’s new signing Hugo Ekitike lit up the contest.
The French striker marked his debut with a first-half goal before setting up Cody Gakpo to make it 2–0 early in the second half.
Hugo Eketike /liverpool/
Bournemouth, however, had other ideas. Antoine Semenyo dragged his side back with a well-taken goal in the 64th minute, then stunned the Kop with a brilliant solo equaliser.
The match was briefly halted following racist abuse directed at Semenyo, a shameful moment on an otherwise electrifying night.
Antoine Serlom Semenyo ensured racist abuse during the match /Courtesy/
With the game finely balanced, Liverpool’s firepower came to the rescue. Federico Chiesa smashed home a superb late volley in the 88th minute. It was his first Premier League strike before Mohamed Salah added a stoppage-time finish, his 10th goal on opening day, matching Andy Cole’s record.
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