But on a night where Anfield paid tribute to Diogo Jota, Chiesa was the unlikely hero as the injury-hit Italian fired the home side back in front before Salah rounded off the scoring and then burst into a flood of tears
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in tears after their win over Bournemouth on Friday. Pic/Getty Images
Liverpool struck twice in the final minutes through Federico Chiesa (88th minute) and Mohamed Salah (90+4th min) to overcome a battling Bournemouth 4-2 in a thrilling, yet, emotional start to their English Premier League campaign on Friday.
Antoine Semenyo looked to have rescued a point for the Cherries by scoring twice (64th and 76th min), after he had reported an incident of racial abuse from a fan, to cancel out Hugo Ekitike (37th min) and Cody Gakpo’s (49th min) strikes for the defending champions.
But on a night where Anfield paid tribute to Diogo Jota, Chiesa was the unlikely hero as the injury-hit Italian fired the home side back in front before Salah rounded off the scoring and then burst into a flood of tears after the final whistle as Jota’s name was chanted by the Anfield faithful.
Arne Slot
Liverpool’s joy at celebrating a record-equalling 19th English top-flight title turned to tragedy during the off-season as forward Jota was killed alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car accident last month at the age of 28.
Touching tribute
A large banner at the front of The Kop stand on Friday read: “Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Mafalda [the names of Jota’s wife and three children] — Anfield will always be your home. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
During a minute’s silence, fans held up a giant mosaic with the initials of Jota and Silva, who was also a footballer, and their shirt numbers in the Portuguese flag. “The tribute for Diogo was so impressive and powerful,” said Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
When asked about Salah’s reaction after the final whistle, the Dutchman said: “Every time you think you cannot expect more from Liverpool fans they manage to top it. I think Mo felt after the game how special that was, he felt the emotion, and I felt it too.”
Semenyo racially abused
Despite the emotional nature of the game, the night was soured when Semenyo reported to referee Anthony Taylor that he had been the subject of racial abuse from a Liverpool supporter, who was removed from the stands by police at half-time. “It’s totally unacceptable. I’m kind of in shock it happened in this day and age,” said Bournemouth captain, Adam Smith. Liverpool later said in a statement the incident is now the subject of an ongoing police investigation.
Saturday’s results
>> Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle
>> Tottenham 3-0 Burnley
>> Brighton 1-1 Fulham
>> Sunderland 3-0 West Ham
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