Salah and Chiesa strike late as Liverpool win 4-2 thriller over Bournemouth

Liverpool, Aug 16 (IANS) Liverpool star Mo Salah and substitute Federico Chiesa scored late goals as the Premier League champions kicked off their title defence with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on the opening night of the season at Anfield on Friday.

On an emotional and bittersweet evening following the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota in July, newcomer Hugo Ekitike marked his league debut with a goal in the 37th minute to give the hosts the lead, with Cody Gakpo adding a second just four minutes into the second half.

However, Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, who was subjected to racist abuse in the first half - prompting a pause in the match - pulled one back in the 64th minute and then netted again 12 minutes later to stun Liverpool and silence the Anfield crowd.

But substitute Federico Chiesa restored the home side's advantage in the 88th minute, firing home after goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic parried a ball into the box from Mo Salah, who then scored himself deep into added time to seal the victory and secure all three points.

With Liverpool back in front, Salah broke past the defence, cut inside, and drilled a shot into the bottom corner in the 94th minute - a goal that moved the Egyptian level with Andy Cole in fourth place on the all-time Premier League scorers' list with 187 goals.

Earlier, the match was paused for several minutes after Bournemouth’s Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo reported being subjected to racist abuse.

"It's totally unacceptable," Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said. "Kind of in shock to be honest that it happened. In this day and age it shouldn't be happening.

"I don't know how Ant's played on to be honest and come up with those goals... Something has to be done. We'll support him in there and hopefully he'll be ok."

--IANS

ab/