Football

Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth, Premier League 2025-26: Reds Begin Title Defence With Dramatic Late Win

Liverpool staged a dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Bournemouth in the opening match of the English Premier League 2025-26 at Anfield on 16 August. The emotionally charged fixture saw fans honour the late Diogo Jota, while Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo was subjected to racial abuse from a home supporter. On the pitch, new signing Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo put the Reds two goals ahead, but Semenyo struck twice shortly after the hour mark to draw the visitors level. Substitute Federico Chiesa then restored Liverpool’s lead late on, before Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time strike sealed a thrilling victory for Arne Slot’s men.

EPL: Bournemouth vs Liverpool Mohamed Salah
EPL: Liverpool vs Bournemouth | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds at full time of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

2/10
EPL: Liverpool vs Bournemouth
EPL: Bournemouth vs Liverpool | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

3/10
English Premier League: Bournemouth vs Liverpool
English Premier League: Liverpool vs Bournemouth | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool's Federico Chiesa, left, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

4/10
English Premier League: Liverpool vs Bournemouth
English Premier League: Bournemouth vs Liverpool | Photo: Peter Byrne/PA via AP

Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool, England.

5/10
English Premier League Soccer Match: Bournemouth vs Liverpool
English Premier League Soccer Match: Liverpool vs Bournemouth | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, right, scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

6/10
English Premier League Soccer Match: Liverpool vs Bournemouth
English Premier League Soccer Match: Bournemouth vs Liverpool | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, centre left, celebrates with Bournemouth's Adam Smith after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

7/10
English Premier League 2025-26: Bournemouth vs Liverpool
English Premier League 2025-26: Liverpool vs Bournemouth | Photo: Peter Byrne/PA via AP

Referee Anthony Taylor during a stop in play after Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, second right, informs the referee of a possible racial comment from the crowd during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield, Liverpool, England.

8/10
English Premier League 2025-26: Liverpool vs Bournemouth
English Premier League 2025-26: Bournemouth vs Liverpool | Photo: AP/Ian Hodgson

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England.

9/10
Britain Soccer Premier League: Bournemouth vs Liverpool
Britain Soccer Premier League: Liverpool vs Bournemouth | Photo: Peter Byrne/PA via AP

Liverpool's Milos Kerkez, front, and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield, Liverpool, England.

10/10
Britain Soccer Premier League: Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Britain Soccer Premier League: Bournemouth vs Liverpool | Photo: Peter Byrne/PA via AP

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, left, and Bournemouth's Adam Smith in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield, Liverpool, England.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

CLOSE