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Champions Liverpool sealed a late 4-2 win towards Bournemouth in an exciting opening recreation of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
New striker Hugo Ekitike scored (37') and arrange Cody Gakpo (49') however the guests fought again through an outstanding Antoine Semenyo double (64', 76').
In a dramatic end, substitute Federico Chiesa (88') restored the hosts’ lead, earlier than Mohamed Salah netted a fourth in added time (90+4').
The match had earlier been paused after Bournemouth ahead Semenyo reported being racially abused by someone in the crowd.
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Premier League opener paused after Antoine Semenyo experiences racist abuse from the stands
Tomorrow, we have now dwell protection of Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester Metropolis.
Then on Sunday, Manchester United vs Arsenal is the sport we’ll be protecting.
Hope you’re trying ahead to it as a lot as we’re.
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Monday, August 25: Newcastle (Away), Premier League, 8pm UK, 3pm ET.
A complete of 6.0 targets per recreation within the Premier League this season.
Respect it.
Reflecting on the match, that was some effort by Bournemouth given the quantity of change there this summer season.
However that they had subsequent to nothing to deliver off the bench and it confirmed within the final 10 minutes.
And Liverpool boss Arne Slot additionally spoke to Sky Sports activities in regards to the allegations of racist abuse directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. Here’s what he needed to say:
💬 “The membership made it clear with the assertion. We don’t need this in soccer, we don’t need this to occur within the stadium, particularly not at Anfield.
“We must always discuss that for a very long time, as a result of it’s unacceptable that one thing like this occurs in a stadium, not to mention at Anfield.
“It sadly takes the shine (away from the sport) as a result of our followers had been unbelievable whenever you speak in regards to the tribute for Diogo (Jota).
“I didn’t hear it, I solely can say that this could undoubtedly not occur within the stadium.”
This says all of it about Diogo Jota’s impression and legacy as a participant at Liverpool.
After so many particular moments and targets of their well-known pink shirt, his supervisor Arne Slot felt the urge to name for the Portugal worldwide to come back on as Liverpool when by means of a tricky second at 2-2.
For the saddest of causes, he couldn’t. Slot mentioned:
💬 “Usually, when it’s 2-2, you understand which participant I might have been in search of and it’s Diogo Jota…
“However I couldn’t deliver him on for horrible causes.”
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That’s how Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot feels, anyway, after a summer season of change in his enjoying squad at Anfield.
After an exciting match, right here is how he mirrored on the consequence when chatting to Sky Sports activities:
💬 “It was an awesome recreation to observe, that is what makes soccer so nice. Three events who wished a very good recreation — us, Bournemouth and the referee.
“No time losing, good depth. They didn’t quit, they saved preventing to get to 2-2.
“We performed them final season right here and at 3-0 up they simply saved going. We may see at this time how match this staff that we confronted was.
“That’s credit score to them. We’ve misplaced many gamers in the course of the summer season however we didn’t lose the mentality.”
It was good that Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot made some extent of getting a quiet, consoling phrase with Antoine Semenyo on the full-time whistle.
Talking of which, Slot is chatting to UK broadcaster Sky Sports activities proper now.
We’ll deliver you what he says shortly.
And right here’s Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, reflecting on the experiences of racist abuse directed at his participant Antoine Semenyo whereas chatting with Sky Sports activities:
💬 “I didn’t discover it dwell however Antoine and the referee defined it to me. The particular person has been recognized. It was an awesome recreation of soccer, first recreation of the season and we don’t need to be speaking about this stuff.
“We needs to be previous this stage however individuals don’t behave appropriately and it’s a disgrace. For each step we do ahead, this stuff occur and it’s a drawback. He (Semenyo) did what he needed to do. He reported it right away to the referee.
“He didn’t lose his thoughts however he was most likely eager about it within the subsequent minutes. The Liverpool supervisor and the gamers really feel it the identical, though it’s a Liverpool supporter — they are not looking for them with them.
“Now he has to talk to the officers and the police. However will probably be in his head there and it shouldn’t be like this.”
The Premier League Match Centre made an announcement on X. Right here it’s…
💬 “Tonight’s match was briefly paused in the course of the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the group, directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.
“That is according to the Premier League’s on-field anti-discrimination protocol.
“The incident at Anfield will now be absolutely investigated. We provide our full assist to the participant and each golf equipment. Racism has no place in our recreation, or anyplace in society.
“We are going to proceed to work with stakeholders and authorities to make sure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all.”
Liverpool’s assertion on the experiences of racism is as follows:
💬 “Liverpool Soccer Membership is conscious of an allegation of racist abuse made throughout our Premier League recreation towards Bournemouth. We condemn racism and discrimination in all types, it has no place in society or soccer.
“The membership is unable to remark additional as tonight’s alleged incident is the topic of an ongoing police investigation, which we are going to assist absolutely.”
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English soccer’s governing physique, the Soccer Affiliation (FA), launched an announcement on social media website X through a spokesperson:
💬 “We’re very involved in regards to the allegation of discrimination from an space of the group, which was reported to the match officers in the course of the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth.
“Incidents of this nature don’t have any place within the recreation, and we are going to work carefully with the match officers, the golf equipment and the related authorities to ascertain the details and make sure the applicable motion is taken.”
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith has been chatting with Sky Sports activities on the again of that consequence for his facet, the place their dominant feeling is anger after experiences that Antoine Semenyo was racially abused within the first half.
Right here’s what he needed to say:
💬 “It’s completely unacceptable, I’m in shock it occurred. These days it shouldn’t be occurring. I don’t know the way Ant has performed on and scored these targets.
“One thing must be performed, taking the knee and doing issues will not be having an impact. We’ll assist him and hopefully he’ll be OK.
“I wished him to react as a result of that’s what I might have performed. It exhibits what sort of man he’s not to react and keep on, within the second to report it to the ref.
“You’re indignant, shocked. I mentioned to the ref that I wished him (the fan) eliminated instantly however he mentioned they should undergo the method and let the police cope with it. It was dealt with in the suitable approach however I’m simply so indignant.
“We’ve had discussions with the Premier League about it however I’ve been chatting with the lads in there and we don’t know what extra we will do. I really feel sorry that Ant’s needed to take that tonight.”
Particularly contemplating he reported that he was topic to racist abuse in the course of the first half.
That’s the way you do it.
Antoine Semenyo is genuinely one of the thrilling gamers to observe… tempo, energy and arguably probably the most two-footed participant within the league.
So many golf equipment would like to have him. He has every little thing.
Such a powerful participant and character.
A 17-year-old Hugo Ekitike educated with Reims’ senior gamers for every week.
Naturally, he didn’t make the first-team squad for his or her subsequent recreation, however Ekitike wasn’t joyful and instructed supervisor David Guion he had made the improper resolution. Guion mentioned:
💬 “The child could be very, very, very certain of himself… That’s his massive high quality. He doesn’t doubt himself.”
Converse to people who witnessed his rise to prominence in France and they’ll paint an image of the unflinching self-confidence that has pushed Ekitike all the way in which to Liverpool.
GO FURTHER
Hugo Ekitike has all the time been prepared so that you can discover him
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He scored on his Premier League debut however how did Liverpool’s new signing discover his first style of league soccer? Right here’s what Hugo Ekitike needed to say when chatting with Sky Sports activities:
💬 “It was a very good efficiency, I may do higher however a very powerful factor tonight was the win and the mentality we confirmed. We wished to win for Diogo (Jota) and that’s what we did, so I’m joyful.
“There are such a lot of issues to do higher. I can do loads of issues, I’ll get higher and do extra for this staff. I additionally modified the way in which I play right here, it’s totally different soccer with extra depth.
“The defenders are stronger, the house is tight right here. I had a lot extra space in Germany. We’ve to seek out the way in which to succeed.”
With Gianluigi Donnarumma frozen out and Mateo Retegui now in Saudi, Federico Chiesa’s sudden objective from the bench shall be welcomed by Gennaro Gattuso.
Good to see how happy employees and team-mates had been for Chiesa after that instinctive go-ahead objective.
Hope he builds on it, at the same time as an impression participant from the bench.
That’s some end from Federico Chiesa and it’s simply reward for his endurance and perseverance in a Liverpool shirt.
A beautiful volley and a cracking celebration as well.
