After watching a two-goal lead slip away to Bournemouth, Federico Chiesa restored order, scoring to present Liverpool the win in a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on Friday to kick off the Premier League season. The Reds went forward 2-0 after solely 49 minutes earlier than Antoine Semenyo did every thing that he may to will Bournemouth again into the match after it was stopped throughout the thirtieth minute because of Semenyo reporting to the referee that he was racially abused whereas taking a throw-in.
Kicking off the season at Anfield was a bittersweet affair for Liverpool, nevertheless it’s one which was made higher with new signing Hugo Ekitike grabbing his first purpose for the membership en path to a victory. The stadium honored Diogo Jota together with his quantity 20 displayed within the stands whereas the Liverpool trustworthy sang “You will By no means Stroll Alone,” paying tribute to the participant who died this summer season in a automotive crash together with his brother in Spain.
Within the match, Liverpool coach Arne Slot broke in an XI that included 4 new signings who did not miss a beat. Throughout a stop-and-start match, Liverpool managed the conflict even with Florian Wirtz not being at his finest. With a purpose and an help, the brand new signing who delivered probably the most was Ekitike after becoming a member of from Eintracht Frankfurt. Concerned in virtually each assault, he brings the query to gentle of do Liverpool even want Alexander Isak, who’s pushing for a transfer from Newcastle United?
As for Bournemouth, they’ve seen most of their beginning protection depart throughout the summer season, however Ekitike had a well-placed end for his purpose, together with a powerful help to present why he joined the Reds. Slot once more pushed the appropriate buttons from the bench with Cheisa scoring his first Liverpool purpose solely seven minutes after coming into the match. In stoppage time, Mohamed Salah added an exclamation level to the affair, and this was a real image of what Liverpool will appear like this season.
Discovering out how the brand new gamers match collectively is a problem for Slot, however beginning off the season with all three factors, it is a Liverpool squad that may repeat as Premier League champions and may ship even when their protection isn’t at its finest.
Glorious Ekitike
It is fairly a debut for Ekitike after becoming a member of throughout the summer season. He did not miss a beat, dropping deep to assist orchestrate the assault and taking advantage of his photographs to attain and help a purpose. It felt like he was at all times in Slot’s facet, and with a debut like that, the way forward for the 9 is in good fingers. Liverpool will want contributions all season to beat the frailty of the protection. Milos Kerkez was focused by Bournemouth and misplaced his matchups with Semenyo, however the Liverpool assault ensured that they would not drop factors. Ultimately, the Reds will want the protection to tighten, however so long as they will put the ball at the back of the online, there will not be a difficulty with selecting up factors.
An unlucky stoppage
Whereas Liverpool gained the match, it wasn’t all sunshine at Anfield with a stoppage within the thirtieth minute because of a racial incident.
“I’m informed by way of the Premier League match middle that Antoine Semenyo was the topic of a racist remark from the group,” Peter Drury stated throughout the USA Community broadcast of the match. “It was Semenyo himself who introduced consideration to it.”
Semenyo responded in the easiest way doable, scoring two targets, the second of which leveled the match after an extended solo breakaway run for Bournemouth. The Premier League can be investigating the incident.
What’s subsequent for Liverpool?
The title protection will head to an enchanting place for the Reds in dealing with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park subsequent week. With Isak being frozen out of the squad and eager to push for a transfer to Liverpool, it creates extra drama for that conflict, however Ekitike is doing every thing that he can to indicate that he ought to lead the road, irrespective of who is available in.
