In the English Premier League 2025/26 at Anfield, Liverpool had to be quite hard to defeat Bournemouth 4-2, of which rookie Ekitike was glowed with 1 goal with 1 assist.
Goal
Liverpool: Ekitike (37 '), Gakpo (49'), Chiesa (88 '), Salah (90'+4)
Bournemouth: Semenyo (64 ', 76')
Welcoming Bournemouth, Liverpool plays with a 4-2-3-1 system, in which, rookie Ekitike is the tallest kicker in the attack. Support for the French star is the trio of Gakpo, Wirtz, and Salah. Liverpool's central midfield pair is Szoboszlai – Mac Allister, and 4 defenders including Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konate and Frimpong. The holding in the wooden frame as usual is Alisson.
After the opening whistle, the match was excited. In the 4th minute, Salah cut from the right wing into the penalty area, then shot power into the far corner but goalkeeper Petrovic saved Bournemouth. A handling phase of the style of the Egyptian star but unfortunately could not be transformed into a table.
In the next stage, Bournemouth is actually a better play team with quick balls full of damage. Meanwhile, Liverpool was straying, even, facing many difficulties in breaking the closed defense of the visitors. The innovative nose of the defending champions such as Wirtz or Salah completely “turn off the power” before the physical style and are not afraid to collide from Bournemouth.
While falling into a standstill, Liverpool suddenly found a goal to open the score, and it came from the shine of Ekitike. Welcoming Mac Allister's pass, the contract from Frankfurt handled somewhat lucky to overcome Senesi, before the cold finish in the penalty area to hit Bournemouth net to break the balance.
By the end of the first half, Liverpool owned a great counterattack to double the gap, Salah made a bad decision. Overall, the first half is the unforgettable match of Salah and Wirtz, with many handling situations, it must be said that relatively bad, lacking in the feeling of shadow.
In the second half, Liverpool accelerated and at the 49th minute, The Reds found the double gap after the accurate ball of Gakpo in the penalty area. The creator is none other than Ekitike – the author of the opening goal.
By the 64th minute, the chance of getting the group to rekindle Bournemouth when striker Semenyo cut the tape to score the difference. The disaster struck Liverpool in the 76th minute when Semenyo himself had a spectacular solo phase from the home yard to equalize the 2-2 equalizer.
In such a context, coach Arne Slot decided to launch Chiesa in the 82nd minute Wirtz, and that choice showed wisdom. Only 6 minutes after the presence on the field, the Italian player scored a valuable goal with a quick opportunity in the penalty area.
The victory is guaranteed for Liverpool in the 90+4 minute, when Salah spoke up with a dangerous kick with his right foot. In the end, The Reds defeated Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield on the opening day of the Premier League to pocket the first 3 points.
Playing squad
Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong (Endo 60 '), Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez (Robertson 60'); Szoboszlai, Mac Allister (Jones 72 '); Salah, Wirtz (Chiesa 82 '), Gakpo; Ekitike (Gomez 72 ').
Bournemouth: Petrovic; Smith (Hill 90 '), Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Adams (Kroupi 90 '), Scott (Traore 74'); Brooks (Winterburn 83 '), Tavernier, Semenyo; Evanilson.
