Liverpool edge past Bournemouth in six-goal Anfield thriller | OneFootball

Liverpool 4 – 2 Bournemouth – PL Postmortem

With Liverpool looking to start their Premier League title defence in confident fashion, Anfield played host to a lively encounter against an ambitious Bournemouth side. The home crowd expected a routine evening, but what followed was a reminder that even champions can be pushed to the brink when concentration wavers.

The Starting Eleven

Liverpool:

• GK – Alisson Becker

• RB – Jeremie Frimpong

• CB – Ibrahima Konaté

• CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

• LB – Milos Kerkez

• CM – Alexis Mac Allister

• CM – Dominik Szoboszlai

• CM – Florian Wirtz

• RW – Mohamed Salah

• CF – Hugo Ekitike

• LW – Cody Gakpo

Substitutes:

Wataru Endo – Jeremie Frimpong – 59’

Andy Robertson – Milos Kerkez – 59’

Curtis Jones – Alexis Mac Allister – 71’

Joe Gomez – Hugo Ekitike – 71’

Federico Chiesa – Florian Wirtz – 81’

Goals (Assisted by):

Liverpool 1 – 0 Bournemouth – Hugo Ekitike (Alexis Mac Allister) – 37’

Liverpool 2 – 0 Bournemouth – Cody Gakpo (Hugo Ekitike) – 49’

Liverpool 2 – 1 Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo (David Brooks) – 64’

Liverpool 2 – 2 Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo – 76’

Liverpool 3 – 2 Bournemouth – Federico Chiesa – 81’

Liverpool 4 – 2 Bournemouth – Mohamed Salah (Wataru Endo) – 90+4’

Match Statistics

Possession – LFC 61% – 39% Bournemouth

XG – LFC 0.00 – 0.00 Bournemouth

Total Shots – LFC 20 – 10 Bournemouth

Fouls – LFC 6 – 10 Bournemouth

Corners – LFC 6 – 7 Bournemouth

Saves – LFC 1 – 6 Bournemouth

First Half

An expectant atmosphere at Anfield was rewarded with an end-to-end display in the early stages, as both sides sought to stamp authority on proceedings. Mohamed Salah forced a smart save with a looping effort, while Bournemouth looked dangerous in transition, prompting decisive interventions from Liverpool’s back line.

A controversial moment arrived when a Cherries defender blatantly handled on halfway to prevent a clear run on goal. VAR declined to intervene, but replays left little doubt that a red card should have been shown.

The breakthrough came on 37 minutes as Alexis Mac Allister’s neat pass found Hugo Ekitike. The Frenchman used his strength and footwork to glide past his marker before finishing coolly into the far corner. He nearly doubled his tally moments later, heading over from close range. Liverpool went into the break with a slender but deserved lead.

Second Half

Bournemouth started brightly after the restart, but the hosts struck first. Cody Gakpo cut inside from the left, drove across the box, and curled a low finish into the far corner for 2-0.

However, the two-goal cushion bred complacency. Bournemouth broke away on 64 minutes, with David Brooks racing clear before crossing for Antoine Semenyo to bundle home. The same player levelled 12 minutes later, seizing on defensive indecision to silence Anfield.

Arne Slot’s double change on 71 minutes proved fruitless, however, on 81 minutes there was finally an impression in alternatives with Federico Chiesa making an instant impact. The Italian pounced on a loose ball inside the box, firing past the keeper to restore Liverpool’s lead.

The points were sealed deep into stoppage time when Wataru Endo’s precise pass released Salah, who finished with trademark composure to cap a thrilling contest.

Final Thoughts

Liverpool’s title defence ambitions remain on course, but this performance was a warning that lapses in focus can be punished quickly in the Premier League. Hugo Ekitike impressed on debut, Gakpo looked sharp, and Chiesa’s cameo was decisive. Arne Slot will welcome the win, but how Bournemouth clawed back into the game will be a point of focus on the training ground.

A defensive midfielder may be required in the coming weeks.

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Liverpool 2 – 0 Bournemouth