Liverpool vs Bournemouth LIVE!
Liverpool struck late to sink Bournemouth in the first match of their Premier League title defence. After trailing 2-0 early in the second-half, the Cherries dragged themselves back level after Antoien Semenyo’s quickfire brace of counter-attack goals. Federico Chiesa, though, was the unlikely hero for the Reds, firing home from close range after a bungled Bournemouth cross.
Mohamed Salah then added a fourth to pad out Liverpool’s goal difference and extend his own goalscoring record in opening day outings. Hugo Ekitike impressed in his first Premier League start, coolly scoring the opener before teeing up Cody Gakpo’s second shortly after half-time.
The Egyptian looked emotional both ahead of kick-off and at full-time as the Liverpool faithful sang Diogo Jota’s name, offering another touching tribute to the beloved late striker. The match was marred in the first half as Semenyo, Bournemouth’s second-half hero, was subject to alleged racist abuse from a member of the Anfield crowd. He reported the incident to referee Anthony Taylor, who paused the match to alert stadium security. Catch up with the action as it happened below!
Liverpool vs Bournemouth latest news
- GOAL! Salah adds a fourth
- GOAL! Chiesa hits late winner
- GOAL! Semenyo at the double
- GOAL! Semenyo pulls one back
- GOAL! Gakpo doubles hosts' advantage
- GOAL! Ekitike scores on debut
REPORT: Hugo Ekitike stars as Reds leave it late to down Cherries
22:19 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool were unconvincing at times but opened their Premier League title defence with a four-goal win over Bournemouth.
Hugo Ekitike hit a goal and an assist on debut before Antoine Semenyo’s brace levelled the tie. Federico Chiesa and Mohammed Salah, though, were on hand to rescue the result for the Reds.
FULL TIME: Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth
21:57 , Arthur FerridgeThe Premier League champions open their title defence with a dramatic win.
Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth
21:56 , Arthur Ferridge90+6mins: That is the tenth time Mo Salah has scored on opening day.
GOAL! Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth
21:55 , Arthur Ferridge90+4mins: Who else but Mohamed Salah to add Liverpool’s fourth and secure all three points for Liverpool. He just loves an opening day goal.
Liverpool 3-2 Bournemouth
21:53 , Arthur Ferridge90+3mins: It is equalise or bust for Bournemouth, who are pouring everything into chasing another unlikely equaliser.
GOAL! Liverpool 3-2 Bournemouth
21:49 , Arthur Ferridge88mins: Chiesa snatches victory from the jaws of a draw for Liverpool! He fires home from close range after Bournemouth fail to clear.
Liverpool 2-2 Bournemouth
21:44 , Arthur Ferridge84mins: David Brooks is withdrawn. He’s had a fantastic match - assisting Semenyo’s first - and is replaced by Winterburn.
Liverpool 2-2 Bournemouth
21:41 , Arthur Ferridge81mins: Evanilson is booked for a cynical tackle on Szoboszlai.
Liverpool 2-2 Bournemouth
21:40 , Arthur Ferridge80mins: Szoboszlai fires over from the edge of the area. Are there still more goals in this game?
GOAL! Liverpool 2-2 Bournemouth
21:37 , Arthur Ferridge77mins: SEMENYO EQUALISES FOR BOURNEMOUTH! What a moment! It is another blistering Bournemouth counter, who go from box to box in a matter of seconds. Semenyo carried it the whole way and hit a piledriver home from the edge of the area.
Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
21:36 , Arthur Ferridge76mins: Slot’s subs seem to have had the desired effect. Liverpool look to have settled somewhat, and look the more likely to score over the past few minutes.
Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
21:32 , Arthur Ferridge71mins: Bournemouth are playing some inspired football as they chase an equaliser. After an extended spell of attacking possession, Evanilson heads over.
With the game seemingly slipping away from Liverpool, Ekitike and Mac Allister are replaced by Jones and Gomez.
Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
21:27 , Arthur Ferridge67mins: Konate plays a Bournemouth cross behind for a corner and is down hurt, but he looks to simply have caught that one in a sensitive area, so to speak.
Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
21:26 , Arthur Ferridge66mins: Liverpool spend a spell in the Bournemouth third and mix a handful of crosses and shots over the visitors’ area, but cannot do anything to worry Petrovic.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
21:24 , Arthur Ferridge64mins: Semenyo pulls one back for the visitors! A lightning counter from the Cherries finds Brooks in acres of space on the right flank. He plays a perfectly weighted cross to Semenyo, who makes no mistake.
Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
21:23 , Arthur Ferridge63mins: Salah wins the ball high and finds Szoboszlai, who squares to Wirtz. The German shoots first time from the edge of the area and misses just wide.
Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
21:22 , Arthur Ferridge62mins: Bournemouth are pushing hard to get back into this tie, but so far Liverpool’s defense is holding firm.
Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
21:20 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Substitutions for Liverpool as Robertson and Endo replace Frimpong and Kerkez.
Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
21:17 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: Liverpool players have clearly listened to Slot’s suggestion they go down easier under contact. They have won five or six fouls already in the second half.
Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
21:15 , Arthur Ferridge55mins: Brooks does very well to get around Frimpong. He is hauled down, but Tavernier is there to pick up the pieces and put a cross in under advantage. There is no Bournemouth head on the end of his pass, though.
Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
21:14 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: Szoboszlai pounces on a loose ball and lashes an effort from long range. It is well beyond Row Z, and he looks genuinely embarrassed by it.
Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
21:13 , Arthur Ferridge53mins: Ahead of the ensuing corner, Smith and Gakpo are squaring up to one another in the penalty box. Salah also in the mix. Anthony Taylor arrives on the scene to demand everybody settles down.
Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
21:12 , Arthur Ferridge52mins: Mac Allister has a go from range - really puts his foot through it - and Petrovic palms it away. The Serb is having an impressive debut despite the scoreline.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
21:09 , Arthur Ferridge49mins: Kerkez splits the lines with a stunning ball to Ekitike. He holds it up remarkably and tees up Gakpo, who dribbles across goal and beats a man before firing into the bottom right corner. Classy goal.
Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
21:07 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Wirtz’s corner finds Ekitike’s head, but the shot goes over.
Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
21:06 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Ekitike’s flick to Wirtz is on target. He plays a long ball into the box, looking maybe for Salah, and wins an early corner.
2ND HALF: Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
21:05 , Arthur FerridgeWe are back underway!
HALF TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
20:50 , Arthur FerridgeEvanilson’s effort ends the half. Bournemouth have arguably been the better team, but it is the hosts who lead through Ekitike’s debut goal.
Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
20:49 , Arthur Ferridge47+3mins: Brooks goes down in the box and VAR checks it as Liverpool counter. Bournemouth break back, and Evanilson shoots wide.
Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
20:48 , Arthur Ferridge47+3mins: Tavernier has a pop and stings the wall.
Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
20:47 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: Mac Allister fouls Brooks in a central area, about 25 yards from goal. Free-kick scoring territory, one might say.
Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
20:46 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Szoboszlai puts one over the top, looking for the onrushing Salah, but Petrovic is sitting high and clears away the danger.
Three minutes of extra time are added.
Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
20:44 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Kerkez clatters Smith to cut short Bournemouth’s latest attack, and is booked for his troubles. It was a heavy-handed one, and the Hungarian looks to have injured himself in the process. Free kick to the Cherries.
Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
20:40 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: Gakpo crosses to Ekitike, who can’t quite get his header under the bar. His wait for a second Premier League goal goes on.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth
20:38 , Arthur Ferridge36mins: Ekitike continues his remarkable goalscoring run and picks up the first goal of the 2025-26 Premier League season!
He makes a run from deep and gets the better of Senesi, via a lucky deflection, and slots his finish past a wrong-footed Petrovic.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:36 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Smith gets to the byline and pulls one back to Tavernier, unmarked in the middle, whose shot from the penalty spot is not caught correctly and is an easy save for Alisson. Andoni Iraola, visibly exasperated.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:33 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: Smith is deemed to have tripped Gakpo off the pitch, after Kerkez and Semenyo came together. Good bit of needle about this match.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:32 , Arthur Ferridge31mins: It is revealed that Anthoine Semenyo was subject to a racist comment from the crowd, which was reported to Anthony Taylor and, subsequently, security staff.
The match is back underway.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:31 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Anthony Taylor, both coaches, and some security staff are having talks on the sideline. It is not immediately clear what is being discussed.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:29 , Arthur Ferridge29mins: Anthony Taylor is making his way to the technical area. He is having words with both managers.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:29 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: Frimpong finds Ekitike with a smart cross, but the debutant Diakite shoulders him off it.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:27 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: Brooks’ battle with Frimpong, in the Liverpool third out on the left flank, ends with the Dutchman on the floor and a free kick to the Reds.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:26 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: Wirtz is down near the area under assistance from Semenyo, who looks to dribble away and bounces off a couple tackles before being hacked down by Mac Allister.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:25 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: A fun fact about Djorde Petrovic, if you like, is that he made his Premier League debut for Chelsea against Everton at Goodison Park, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Anfield, where he today makes his Bournemouth debut.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:24 , Arthur Ferridge23mins: Wirtz hits one up to Salah, and he just about keeps it in. His cross to the back post for Gakpo is reached first by Petrovic, who has made an assured debut so far.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:21 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: As the clock ticks into its 20th minute, Anfield rises to its feet in full song, exalting the name of Diogo Jota.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:19 , Arthur Ferridge18mins: Arne Slot is gesticulating wildly at Antony Taylor. He’s clearly upset about something.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:17 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: It only took a quarter of an hour to taste VAR controversy this season. Senesi looks to have swatted at the ball to keep it away from Ekitike earlier on, and seems to have made contact. The VAR, though, was having none of it, and cleared him of any wrongdoing on review.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:15 , Arthur Ferridge15mins: Brooks is booked. Unclear why.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:14 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: Tavernier pings a long ball over to Brooks, who is closed down by Frimpong. The ball finds Truffert, who crosses to Scott, but Liverpool clear. Ekitike looks to break back, but Senesi looks to have got in the way.
Ekitike claims there was a handball from the centre-back, but Anthony Taylor says play on. VAR concurs.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: Petrovic takes his turn to make a high claim. Set pieces leaving a little to be desired so far!
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:11 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Evanilson flicks the ball goalwards, but couldn’t quite get enough on it. Liverpool counter and win a corner of their own after Smith’s intervention.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:11 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: Semenyo plays Smith in behind. His cross is cleared behind by Van Dijk for another corner. This is a great spell for the visitors.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:10 , Arthur Ferridge9mins: Truffert’s cross is claimed by Alisson.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:09 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: Konate misplaces his back-pass to Alisson, and it is a free corner for Bournemouth. Pre-season rust still on display.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: This has been all action so far. Truffert gets around the outside of Liverpool and plays a cross into Semenyo from deep. He slides as he shoots, and his effort is over the bar.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:06 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: Salah gets on the ball after a wayward corner and plays a remarkable cross, but Van Dijk heads over.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:05 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: Salah breaks down the right flank and cuts back inside. He whips a shot at the far corner, and Petrovic gets a strong hand to it. Not the last time we will see that move from the Egyptian King this season, you’d assume.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:03 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: Ekitike has a pop from range, but Petrovic is more than equal to it.
Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth
20:03 , Arthur Ferridge1mins: Diakite’s pass is cut out by Gakpo and Liverpool drive at goal. Salah’s cross is cut out and cleared. The Reds pick up possession in their back line.
KICK-OFF!
20:01 , Arthur FerridgeAfter that touching tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, we turn our attention to the football.
The 2025-26 Premier League season is underway!
Jota tribute
20:00 , Arthur FerridgeAfter a particularly emotional rendition of club anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, which looks to have reduced Mo Salah and some of his teammates to tears, the two sides observe a minute of silence.
In the stands, fans hold up coloured pieces of paper to create a mosaic, which read ‘DJ20’ and ‘AS30’.
Jota tribute
19:56 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool fans pay a fresh tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of kick-off.
The Portuguese was tragically killed in a car accident earlier this summer, alongside his brother Andre Silva.
His face adorns countless scarves, flags, and crowdsurfers inside Anfield, with a huge display in the Kop end memorialising him.
Kick-off fast approaching
19:50 , Arthur FerridgeThe new Premier League campaign will be underway in just ten minutes!
Bournemouth pre-season results
19:45 , Arthur FerridgeBournemouth spent much of their pre-season in the United States, contesting the Premier League Summer Series, in which they finished third out of four teams.
Here are their results in full:
Bournemouth 2-1 Hibernian
Bournemouth 3-0 Everton
Bournemouth 1-4 Man United
Bournemouth 0-2 West Ham
Bournemouth 1-1 Real Sociedad
Bournemouth 0-0 Real Sociedad
Liverpool arrive
19:40 , Arthur Ferridge
Liverpool pre-season results
19:35 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool had a strong summer of results, winning five of six friendlies before losing the Community Shield.
Here are their results in full:
Liverpool 3-1 Preston NE
Liverpool 5-0 Stoke City
Liverpool 2-4 AC Milan
Liverpool 3-1 Yokohama FM
Liverpool 4-1 Atletico Madrid
Liverpool 3-2 Atletico Madrid
Community Shield: Liverpool 2-2 Crystal Palace (2-3 pens)
Jota tributes expected ahead of kick-off
19:30 , Arthur FerridgeAs this is Liverpool’s first competitive outing since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, the club have committed to a pre-match tribute.
His picture adorns the cover of the memorial programme, while a crowd mosaic is planned ahead of kick-off.
Last season
19:26 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool beat Bournemouth three times last season, adding a League Cup win to their Premier League double.
Last time out in February, they won 2-0 thanks to a Mo Salah brace.
Arne Slot on Florian Wirtz
19:20 , Arthur FerridgeArne Slot was waxing lyrical about his new British record signing Florian Wirtz in his pre-match presser. The German could be in for a debut today.
Slot said: “He might be young, but he’s already won a lot... factually, yes, he’s a young player - but with the experience he has, I don’t see him that way.
“Beyond that, his mentality is his biggest strength, which says a lot because you see him play and you think: 'Are you serious!?'
“He’s so creative but doesn't get distracted by a transfer fee or anything else. Good players always find a way to play good football.
“It's true he has to adjust to England, intensity and his new team-mates but if you saw the games it has gone quite well; better than expected, and we already expected a lot."
Bournemouth's summer of transfers
19:15 , Arthur FerridgeThe Vitality has seen far more outgoings than incomings this summer.
They have lost their defensive core of Dean Huijsen, Ilya Zabarnyi, and Milos Kerkez to Real Madrid, PSG, and Liverpool, respectively.
Dango Ouattara is set to depart to Brentford this weekend.
Also departing are Jaidon Anthony, Neto, and Mark Travers.
They have, however, added Bafode Diakite, Djorde Petrovic, and Adrien Truffert.
Can Andoni Iraola recover from such a high level of turnover?
Liverpool summer signings
19:10 , Arthur FerridgeAfter spending over £300m, what do Liverpool have to show for it?
Here are their summer signings in full:
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth)
Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
Armin Pecsi (Puskas AFC)
Freddie Woodman (Preston North End)
Giovanni Leoni (Parma)
Bournemouth debutants
19:04 , Arthur FerridgeFormer Chelsea shot-stopper Djorde Petrovic starts between the sticks for Bournemouth in his first competitive Cherries appearance.
So too does Bafodé Diakité, who joined from Lille on Wednesday.
He makes his Bournemouth bow barely 48 hours on from putting pen to paper on his contract.
What to make of the Liverpool team
19:01 , Arthur FerridgeFour debutants start for Liverpool: Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and, facing his former club, Milos Kerkez.
Alexis Mac Allister comes in at the base of the midfield having recovered from injury.
Otherwise, there are few surprises. Van Dijk partners Konate at the back, and Salah joins Gakpo up top.
The starlet Rio Ngumoha is on the bench after dazzling throughout pre-season.
Joining him there is fit-again Joe Gomez and potential, if unlikely, debutant goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Liverpool announce Leoni signing
19:00 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool announced their latest signing, Giovanni Leoni a few hours ahead of kick-off.
The young defender’s arrival takes the Reds’ summer outlay clear of £300m.
"Because it's one of the best clubs in the world," he told Liverpoolfc.com of his decision to leave Italy and join the Reds. "It's not possible to say no to this club.
"Yes, [it was] easy – because it's one of the best clubs in the world. I didn't say no!"
Bournemouth confirmed XI
18:49 , Arthur FerridgeHere’s how the visitors line up.
Bournemouth starting XI: Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Brooks, Tavernier, Semenyo; Evanilson
Subs: Dennis, Araujo, Soler, Kroupi, Hill, Traore, Billing, Winterburn, Rees-Dottin
Liverpool confirmed XI
18:46 , Arthur FerridgeArne Slot names his first XI of the season.
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike
Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha
Leoni in Liverpool colours
18:35 , Arthur Ferridge
FPL deadline fast approaching
18:20 , Arthur FerridgeA public service announcement for the Fantasy Premier League players: the deadline to set your GW1 squad is at 6.30pm BST tonight. That’s just 10 minutes away!
Get your XI sorted and make sure you start your mini-league on the right foot.
Predicted Liverpool XI
18:15 , Arthur FerridgeThere are plenty of new signings who could play their first Premier League minutes for Liverpool today - but there are also plenty of injuries in the squad. Here’s how we think they could line up this evening...
Liverpool predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Doubts: Gomez
Injured: Bradley
Suspended: Gravenberch
Standard Sport prediction
18:05 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool are aiming for a 13th straight unbeaten season-opener, while Mohamed Salah hunts a league-record extending 10th opening day goal.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, could become just the fourth team to topple the title holders on opening weekend if they can sneak a first-ever win at Anfield.
The odds of that unlikely scenario are fairly slim, though. Arne Slot will have learnt lessons from his side’s loss to Crystal Palace, while Bournemouth may still need time to gel after a mixed pre-season and nearly a complete overhaul of their defence.
Liverpool to win, 3-1.
Bournemouth early team news
17:55 , Arthur FerridgeBournemouth have completed the signing of Lille defender Bafode Diakite in time for the season-opener. Meanwhile, Adrien Truffert - Kerkez’s replacement - is expected to make his competitive debut at left-back, ahead of former Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.
Justin Kluivert has been ruled out through injury and Dango Ouattara is not expected to feature with the Cherries agreeing a fee with Brentford for the forward.
Liverpool early team news
17:45 , Arthur FerridgeThe likes of Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez - set to face his former club- will all be expected to make their Premier League debuts for Liverpool after starting at Wembley in the Community Shield.
One definite absentee for the Reds is Ryan Gravenberch, who missed Sunday’s match due to the birth of his child and is suspended for one league match following his red card at the end of last season.
Joe Gomez is back in training following injury, but it would appear that Conor Bradley will remain sidelined.
Liverpool announced the signing of 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma ahead of kick-off, but it should go without saying that he won’t be involved against Bournemouth.
How to watch Liverpool vs Bournemouth
17:35 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage is set to begin from 6.30pm BST ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog!
Good evening
17:28 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool vs Bournemouth in the Premier League!
After 82 agonising days of waiting, the best football league in the world is finally back. Can the champions get off to a winning start?
Follow along LIVE right here for minute-by-minute updates, team news, and hard-hitting analysis.
Kick-off comes at 8pm BST at Anfield Stadium in the centre of sunny Liverpool.
