Liverpool were flawed in their 4-2 win over Bournemouth, but the media enjoyed a thrilling contest and some eye-catching debuts.
Arne Slot‘s champions picked up all three points on Friday evening, with substitute Federico Chiesa‘s late goal the standout moment of the night.
Hugo Ekitike also scored on his Premier League debut, and Mohamed Salah got his customary opening -weekend goal.
Here’s how the media reacted to Liverpool’s win.
An emotional night at Anfield was assessed
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa celebrates after scoring the third goal with teammate Dominik Szoboszlai during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
David Lynch gave an honest verdict on Liverpool’s performance, saying there were moments of weakness but lots of spirit on show:
“Thought Liverpool showed a lot of the flaws evident in pre-season tonight, and that’s why an excellent Bournemouth side ran them close.
“But they also showed the spirit that made them champions last season and that, along with the Anfield factor, is why they won.”
Andy Jones of The Athletic felt Liverpool were too easy to score against:
“Slot has made no secret of the fact that improvements need to be made defensively.
“His side only kept one clean sheet in their six pre-season matches – during a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship side Stoke City – and their defensive frailties were exposed by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield…
“But, at 2-0 up, Slot’s decision to take both starting full-backs off on the hour, replacing them with Andy Robertson and Wataru Endo, appeared to give the visitors renewed belief.
“As was the case against Palace at Wembley, both Bournemouth’s goals came from Liverpool giving the ball away.”
Jason Burt of the Telegraph also believes there are weaknesses for Liverpool to work on, despite the result:
“Even though they won, with Mohamed Salah adding an even later fourth, Liverpool look not just a work-in-progress but one that can be got at in a way that simply did not happen as they claimed their 20th league title…
“The emotion, the tension, even the nerves were there for Liverpool and so was the vulnerability shown in last Sunday’s Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace.
“They will create chances but they will also concede them.”
Some focused on a memorable debut for Hugo Ekitike
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates his side scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Richard Jolly of the Independent couldn’t help but wonder how much Liverpool really need Alexander Isak this summer:
“While the Alexander Isak saga drags on, perhaps the question should not be whether he will join Liverpool, but if they actually need him anyway.
“As four of their forwards scored, as they showed how devastating they can be in attack, it is becoming ever more apparent that Arne Slot has already signed a high-class striker this summer, one with sleekness and speed, the potential to be prolific and an ability to excel at Anfield.”
The *Mirror*‘s Nathan Ridley loved what he saw from Ekitike:
“Who needs Alexander Isak?
[…]
“If Isak were to be arrive, likely for a British-record fee, then Ekitike will have a fight on his hands to be Liverpool’s first-choice striker.
“Fortunately for the 23-year-old, he’s handy out wide.”
Lewis Steele revealed an interesting statistic regarding Ekitike and Darwin Nunez – here’s hoping Liverpool’s new striker is a bigger success!
“Hugo Ekitike became only the second player to both score and assist a goal on his Premier League debut for Liverpool, after Darwin Nunez against Fulham in August 2022.
“Stat presented without comment!”
Sadly, an alleged racist incident marred the night
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Mirror‘s Darren Lewis was appalled by what allegedly happened inside Anfield:
“A shiny new season poisoned by the cancer at the core of the game that has never been addressed enough to deter fans from believing they can racist with their chests.
“When the action is taken that will actually work, then we will stop it.”
Henry Winter rightly called for a lifetime ban for anyone who is found guilty of racism at a football match:
“Racist abuse should lead to a life ban from the stadium. All stadiums. Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by somebody in the crowd.
“Disgusting and dispiriting that a half-hour into the new Premier League season that a player is allegedly subjected to this.”