Liverpool Begin Campaign With Win but Referee Calls Spark DebateOpening day drama at AnfieldLiverpool launched their Premier League title defence with a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, a scoreline that

Hugo Ekitike had a goal and an assist as Liverpool got their Premier League season off to a winning start despite a blown two-goal lead to Bournemouth at Anfield on a night the club honored deceased forward Diogo Jota.

Just as they had been in the Community Shield, the champions gave up too many counter attacks and were vulnerable to crosses and cutbacks

The four who have been selected are captain Virgil van Dijk, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch as well as top goalscorer Mo Salah. All four players contributed to Liverpool’s success in their own way and will be hungry for more of the same this time around.

LIVERPOOL, England, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Liverpool's Premier League season-opening match against Bournemouth was briefly halted on Friday after visiting forward Antoine Semenyo reported getting racist abuse from the crowd.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has won a record third Professional Footballers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year award, with Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey collecting the women’s accolade.The 33-year-old Egypt international scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists as Arne Slot’s Reds stormed to last season’s Premier League title.

While nobody had a more impressive campaign than Liverpool last year, Bournemouth could also feel proud of what they accomplished in 2024-25. The Cherries had their best-ever finish in the Premier League (ninth), and you could argue they deserved even better than that.

Liverpool players and fans have paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, at the first competitive match at Anfield since their death last month.

The champions started with a win but the night was overshadowed by Antoine Semenyo reporting he was subject to racist abuse