EPL: CHIESA, SALAH LATE GOALS SEAL LIVERPOOL’S EMOTIONAL 4-2 WIN OVER BOURNEMOUTH
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By: Sefiu Ajape
Liverpool began their Premier League title defence with late drama at Anfield as Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah struck in the dying minutes to seal a 4-2 win over Bournemouth on Friday night.
Antoine Semenyo appeared to have earned the visitors a point with a brace, cancelling out earlier goals from Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo.
But in an emotionally charged evening that honoured the late Diogo Jota, Chiesa fired Liverpool back in front before Salah added a stoppage-time finish.
The night was steeped in tribute following the tragic passing of Jota, who died in a car accident last month alongside his brother Andre Silva, just days after marrying longtime partner Rute Cardoso.
Anfield paid its respects with a banner for his family, a giant mosaic in the Kop, and a minute’s silence before kick-off.
Despite a summer rebuild that saw nearly £300m spent on fresh talent, Liverpool’s defence looked shaky.
VAR controversy added to the drama when Marcos Senesi escaped punishment for a clear handball that denied Ekitike a one-on-one.
Ekitike eventually calmed nerves with the opener before setting up Gakpo for the second.
But Bournemouth roared back as David Brooks set up Semenyo for his first, before the Ghanaian surged from his own half to net a stunning equaliser late on.
Chiesa, used sparingly last season, seized his moment with an 89th-minute strike before Salah broke away to wrap up victory—celebrating with Jota’s trademark gesture before breaking down in tears as Anfield chanted the Portuguese forward’s name.
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