Liverpool's Premier League title defence kicked off with three points. Bournemouth were valiant and impressive at Anfield, but the Reds dug in and showcased their quality as they rallied in the final stretch of the curtain-raising game.
While the Reds showcased a remarkable array of attacking talent against the hard-fighting Cherries, they lacked something in defence, with Arne Slot's side squandering a two-goal lead in the second half.
Antoine Semenyo had a field day against a discordant Reds backline, who must find balance and coherence in the weeks ahead if they wish to rebuff the danger that is bound to spring from title rivals who are expected to improve after last year.
Antoine Semenyo scores for Bournemouth
And Ibrahima Konate, in particular, suffered from a rusty performance at the back. It was a display that, perhaps, new recruit Giovanni Leoni and top transfer target Marc Guehi would have taken heed of.
Ibrahima Konate's performance vs Bournemouth
Semenyo's second-half double proved a blow to Liverpool's start to their title defence, but the impressive right winger deserved both of his goals and will have felt be got the better of the hosts' unfluent backline.
Antoine Semenyo and Ibrahima Konate
Konate was at the epicentre of the struggles, with Jamie Carragher remarking on Sky Sports co-comms that the France international was "all over the place" for Slot's side, making seven clearances throughout the evening but lacking the control nor composure to ensrue the home side moved toward three points in a smooth fashion to start their campaign.
Completely exposed for Bournemouth's second and suffering across numerous offensive pushes from the lively south coasters, Konate, 26, will be frustrated with his performance, not least because noise rumbles in the background regarding a potentially forthcoming move for Crystal Palace's Guehi.
While Konate struggled to produce anything close to his finest form, he wasn't the only one to have flattered to deceive, with Florian Wirtz leaving plenty to be desired on his Premier League debut.
Florian Wirtz left plenty to be desired
Wirtz joined Liverpool in a club-record £100m move in June, and that may yet rise to a £116m fee with add-ons that would see him eclipse Chelsea's Moises Caicedo as the record-breaking signing in British history.
Wirtz-Liverpool
But he struggled to produce a befitting performance against a well-oiled Bournemouth side, enjoying some high-level touches and neat layoffs but struggling to lay down his marker as he would have hoped.
Without a doubt, these first two outings have left something to be desired, but they've also demonstrated the German international's first-class quality on the ball, invariably creative and finding openings for his teammates.
Wirtz's Liverpool starts
Match Stats
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Data via Sofascore
After the Bournemouth clash, The Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle handed the 22-year-old a 6/10 match rating acknowledging his playmaking ability but struggle to influence proceedings as would have been desired. Indeed, he would depart after losing the ball on average every 3.6 touches, having lost possession 19 times in all.
He will need to muscle up over the coming weeks, adapting to the rigorous nature of the Premier League, but there's no doubt that Wirtz is a top talent.
However, as with Konate, he left plenty of room for improvement against Andoni Iraola's side, and his performance will be under greater scrutiny against Newcastle United at St. James' Park next week.