The current champions, Liverpool, made their debut in the Premier League 2025/26 with a 4 x 2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield, this Friday (15).The night was filled with beautiful and emotional tr...
The current champions, Liverpool, made their debut in the Premier League 2025/26 with a 4 x 2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield, this Friday (15).
The night was filled with beautiful and emotional tributes to Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in early July.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2025
Despite the emotions, the game also had room for a possible case of racism against Semenyo.
According to reports from the press present at Anfield, a racial slur from the wheelchair section caused the match to be halted by referee Anthony Taylor.
De acordo com a Sky Sports, o Antoine Semenyo, jogador do Bournemouth, foi alvo de insultos racistas de um torcedor no Anfield.
— DataFut (@DataFutebol) August 15, 2025
O jogo foi parado pelo juíz que conversou com os treinadores e com os delegados.
A vítima foi chamada também e recebeu apoio de todos. pic.twitter.com/ozH0RIW7ok
The Premier League have confirmed Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by someone in the crowd, which is why Anthony Taylor stopped the game. pic.twitter.com/T3LYQ0Ehtt
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 15, 2025
The Premier League's own profile confirmed the racism complaint at Anfield and promised an investigation into the incident.
"Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily halted during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol.
The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our sport, or anywhere in society.
We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure that our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all".
Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in line with the Premier League's on-field…
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 15, 2025
⚽ The game
With the ball rolling, still in the first half, Ekitike - a 90 million euro reinforcement (about R$ 567 million) - received the ball, dribbled at speed to enter the area and kept his cool to open the scoring.
In celebration, the 23-year-old French striker - who scored his first goal in the Premier League - made the numbers 2 and 0 with his hands in tribute to number 20 Diogo Jota.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2025
After the break, just three minutes in, Ekitike provided the assist in the box for Gakpo, who carried the ball from the left to the middle and finished low, in the corner, to extend the lead.
Again, in celebration, the same tribute to Diogo Jota.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2025
However, Bournemouth were not disheartened by the disadvantage on the scoreboard.
And it was Semenyo who sought to react.
In a spectacular counter-attack, Brooks received the ball at speed on the left side and crossed perfectly for Semenyo, who finished first time to reduce the deficit.
In celebration, he picked up the ball and kissed his right arm. Perhaps, a response to the possible racist insults suffered in the first half.
He is really, really good at football. pic.twitter.com/EbqhV5AaVc
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 15, 2025
And, in the final stretch of the thrilling match, Semenyo received the ball from Traoré in the defensive field and advanced at speed, without being bothered, until he took off the marking at the entrance of the area and shot against Alisson to level everything.
Semenyo sofre racismo no primeiro tempo
— Yuri Dantas (@yur1dant4s) August 15, 2025
No segundo tempo faz 2 gols e empata o jogo pic.twitter.com/JKaY2373WM
However, in the last minute of regular time, Chiesa - another reinforcement of the season for the attack - took the rebound in the area first time to seal Liverpool's victory.
Finally, in stoppage time, after a clearance from the defense, Salah believed in the play, got the ball on the left side, entered the area, dribbled in front of the marking and finished to ensure the rout.
🚦 What's next
After the thrilling home win, Liverpool return to the field on August 25 (Monday), when they visit Newcastle, for the second round of the Premier League 2025/26.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 Michael Steele - 2025 Getty Images
Category: General Sports
