Liverpool player ratings vs Bournemouth, Ekitike and Chiesa shine but shocking star gets 5/10

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Liverpool began their Premier League title defence with a late win over Bournemouth despite throwing away an initial two-goal lead.

In the first home Premier League since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, tributes were held before the Bournemouth match as Liverpool fans remembered their number 20.

Once the game began, Liverpool’s new summer signings impressed and it was Hugo Ekitike who added to his goal on debut last week against Crystal Palace with the opener against Bournemouth.

Ekitike was causing trouble, heading over the bar soon after, while he also felt Bournemouth’s Marco Senesi could have been sent off for handball on the half-way line that prevented him running through on goal.

Ekitike then turned provider shortly into the second half, teeing up Cody Gakpo to dance and feign his way across the penalty area before calmly finding the bottom corner.

However, Antoine Semenyo pulled one back for Bournemouth from David Brook’s pinpoint cross on the break, and then the forward ran the length of the pitch against a back-tracking defence to fire in a brilliant equaliser.

Bournemouth would have deserved a point given their second half bravery, but Liverpool stole the win late on as substitute Federico Chiesa slammed the ball home just before full time to hand his side a valuable three points.

Mohamed Salah then sealed the win with a typical finish into the bottom corner in injury time, dedicating his strike to Diogo Jota.

Liverpool player ratings vs Bournemouth

Alisson – 6

A quiet night on Alisson’s 300th Liverpool performance and he couldn’t have done much to prevent the goals he conceded.

Jeremie Frimpong – 6

Flashes of pace and power from the right-back, mixed with more of the defensive work that isn’t necessarily his biggest strength. Kept David Brooks quiet before he was replaced on the hour mark.

Ibrahima Konate – 5

Caught out as David Brooks raced clear to cross for Bournemouth’s first goal and shambolic in his attempts to hold up Antoine Semenyo for his second. Torn inside and out, Konate should have done more to stop the chance and it almost cost his team.

Virgil van Dijk – 6

Van Dijk was unlucky with an early header, and then relatively untroubled until he inadvertently played David Brooks onside as Bournemouth pulled one back.

Milos Kerkez – 5

Some rash challenges against his former club, and Kerkez perhaps got caught up in the emotion of the occasion. Ex-teammate Antoine Semenyo won their individual battle.

Alexis Mac Allister – 7

The midfielder was calm on the ball and it was his pass to Ekitike in the first half to register an assist – although much of the work was done by the goalscorer.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6

Selfless and solid performance from Szoboszlai in the main, but he was caught on possession to allow Bournemouth back into the game, and slipped in the opposition area to gift possession for their leveller.

Florian Wirtz – 6

A quiet Premier League debut for Wirtz, with some errant passing and signs he isn’t fully up to speed with his new teammates. Equally, there were some flashes of the player who lit up the Bundesliga last season and that will encourage Arne Slot.

Mohamed Salah – 8

Salah must love Liverpool’s summer business, running onto balls from Florian Wirtz and an energetic striker to aim for in Hugo Ekitike. Sealed the win with a trademark finish.

Cody Gakpo – 8

After a quiet first half, Gakpo came alive with a well-taken goal to remind Arne Slot that he can play as big a role as the new signings if given the chance.

Hugo Ekitike – 8

Liverpool have a new fan favourite, with Ekitike a threat from the start and taking his goal brilliantly. An assist for Cody Gakpo showed his selfless side and this was a big statement from the new signing.

Substitutes

Wataru Endo – 5

Deputising at right-back initially, Endo was nowhere to be seen for Bournemouth’s goal and was soon pushed into his more natural midfield position.

Andy Robertson – 6

Robertson was serenaded onto the pitch as a substitute but was too slow when Antoine Semenyo nipped in front of him to pull a goal back.

Curtis Jones – 6

The midfielder couldn’t make an impact late on.

Joe Gomez – 6

Shored up the right-back area after the Endo experiment but Bournemouth still equalised.

Federico Chiesa – 7

In the right place to slam home a winner when Liverpool were starting to look a little lost for ideas. A winner that could be invaluable even on the opening night of the season.