Liverpool 4 – 2 Bournemouth
The Reds: Ekitike 37’, Gakpo 49’, Chiesa 89’, Salah 90+4
The Cherries: Semenyo 64’ 76’
Prematch
Hope springs eternal at the start of the season, but these Reds give us plenty of reasons to be extra hopeful. There are four trophies to play for, and this talented side will want to win as many of them as possible. Liverpool’s title defense begins tonight, at Anfield. Let’s fucking go.
As for the actual game, it’s an exciting lineup, with 4 new faces in the starting lineup: Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian
Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike. As exciting as the starting XI is, they might need to be the ones to win it, because the attacking options off the bench…aren’t great.
First Half
Liverpool started the match well enough, but also got away with one after Kerkez was beaten to a back post cross. Thankfully their attacker did not make clean contact, but it was far too easy of a chance to be giving away.
Well, it’s not even 15 minutes in, and the Premier League already has their first VAR controversy after Bournemouth’s last man defender swatted a ball out of Ekitike’s path, denying him a clean run through on goal. Can’t wait for the justification on this one. And instead of getting make up calls, Taylor seems determined to give Bournemouth every single call. Premier League is back, baby!
Liverpool get the breakthrough after a good move, a bit of fortune, and a cool finish from Hugo Ekitike! The Reds haven’t created loads of chances, but Liverpool’s newest striker took his chance when he got it!
It wasn’t a great first half from The Reds, but they mostly kept Bournemouth at bay other than one or two half decent chances. Most importantly, they go into the break with the lead.. If Liverpool can be a little more patient in build up, they should be able to carve out some better opportunities in the second half. And an extra goal or two would be appreciated, because The Cherries are not going to let up at any point tonight.
Second Half
Liverpool start the second half much better than the first, and are instantly rewarded after Ekitike holds the ball up in the box, lays it off for Gakpo, who works a shot and slots with a low effort into the far corner. Made it look easy.
Slot makes his first subs on the hour mark, brining on Endo and Robertson for Frimpong and Kerkez.
Bournemouth pull one back after Liverpool get caught out committing too many bodies upfield. With all the tired legs out there, this last 30 minutes might turn into a shooting gallery.
With 20 minutes to go, Ekitike and Mac Allister come off, making way for Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones. The 10 minute experiment with Endo at right back was apparently 10 minutes too many for Slot.
And Bournemouth equalize. It is Semenyo again, who just waltzed through our entire defense. And there’s still a long 15 minutes to go. Yikes.
Slot makes one last roll of the dice, bringing on Chiesa for Wirtz. Remember what I said about not relying on the bench?
NEVER FUCKING MIND FEDERICO CHIESA JUST SCORED THE WINNER FOR LIVERPOOL!!!!
AND MO LEAVES NO DOUBT. SALAH ALWAYS SCORES ON OPENING DAY, WHAT WERE WE ALL WORRIED ABOUT?!
Final Thoughts
Funny sport this. Liverpool appeared to be in control, gave up a two goal lead, and then scored two late goals to settle preceedings. Anyway, three fucking points!
