Hugo Ekitike lights up Liverpool win over Bournemouth on a night marked by grief and marred by racist abuse

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 attackers scored in a game that could have been Isak’s debut, victory came courtesy of their new striker and their forgotten forward, about a 2025 buy and the 2024 arrival who may be headed to the exit.

Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa may have little in common. But, with or without Isak, 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. And yet a manager who lamented, after taking Ekitike off in the Community Shield, that he did not have an understudy now found a rescuer in reserve. “At 2-2 you need a No 9,” said Slot. “I brought him in and he delivered.”

Chiesa’s belated first Premier League goal came a year after his arrival, and yet with perfect timing. “As we say in Italy, better late than never,” he said after hooking in from the penalty spot when Bournemouth, from 2-0 down, had levelled to leave their fans chorusing about being top of the league. Then they were bottom: Chiesa, a player of great pedigree, albeit one whose body can let him down and whose manager rarely seems to trust him, delivered the masterly finish, before Mohamed Salah’s habitual opening-day strike clinched the win. Maybe Chiesa will end up back in Italy before the transfer window closes. And yet, on a night that suggested all Liverpool require is a deputy for Ekitike, he proved the ideal substitute striker. “He delivered and that is always positive for your future at the club,” said Slot.

Anfield erupted when Chiesa struck. “Unbelievable atmosphere,” said Slot. “I thought winning the league here would be more impressive than a home win against Bournemouth but the last six minutes… wow.” But a game that had contained much of the best the division has to offer, whether in its pace and thrilling finish, the excitement of new arrivals and the competitiveness of Andoni Iraola’s fearless Bournemouth, it also had the worst. It was marred, disgracefully, by the first incident of racist abuse of the Premier League season, directed at Antoine Semenyo, causing the game to be halted by referee Anthony Taylor in the first half. “A big shame,” said Andoni Iraola. Liverpool were swift to condemn it. “This should never happen in football, let alone Anfield,” added Slot. The suspected offender was removed by the police at the interval.

It should go without saying that footballers should not have to provide eloquent rejoinders to racial abuse, but Semenyo did anyway. “Big credit to him if something happens to him and he can perform like this, he is not only a great player but very strong mentally,” said Slot. Semenyo’s was an outstanding display, his second-half brace dragging Bournemouth back into the game and, after the Community Shield, underlining concerns that Slot’s new-look Liverpool have lost control and look too susceptible defensively.

But they seem full of goals. Ekitike had scored after four minutes of his bow at Wembley. It took him 37 to open his Premier League account. He added an assist for good measure. With the Frenchman in this form, would Liverpool’s £110m bid for Isak only have bought them the most expensive of substitutes?

“I have so many things to do better,” insisted Ekitike, which may be ominous for defenders. There was some fortune in the way he got past Marcos Senesi, none in his cool finish, sidefooted past Djordje Petrovic. The departed Darwin Nunez rarely demonstrated such calmness in front of goal.

Ekitike also served as a focal point, linking play intelligently. He teed up Cody Gakpo when the winger cut infield to place a shot in the far corner of the net. The Dutchman may be the beneficiary of Luis Diaz’s sale, his status as the first choice left winger apparent right now, and this was a fine finish.

Yet on an evening when one newcomer excelled, another was given a torrid time, the £40m signing Milos Kerkez targeted by Bournemouth and tormented by his former teammate Semenyo. He should have been booked before he was, got hooked on the hour and yet Semenyo’s goals came when his immediate opponent was Andy Robertson.

But Liverpool failed to close the game down. Semenyo swept in a shot from David Brooks’s low cross and then led a break from the edge of his own box, finishing it as Liverpool were cut open far too easily. Their new centre-back, the £26m signing Giovanni Leoni, watched on from the stands, perhaps realising that he may have his work cut out unless this team can tighten up.

Slot’s defensive substitutions had been followed by Bournemouth goals. His attacking changes led to Liverpool scoring. He summoned Chiesa at 2-2, replacing Florian Wirtz, and it proved a terrific decision. Then Salah extended his own record of goals in the division’s opening weekend, his 10th a brilliant finish with his right foot.

It was, though, about a fifth Liverpool forward, besides the goalscorers, the man whose name was heard but who has been taken from their ranks. Salah was tearful at the end remembering his lost friend. Anfield, the Bournemouth fans included, had paid a moving tribute to Diogo Jota. The loudest renditions of the Portuguese’s name here was both a reminder of tragedy and a rallying cry. Ekitike celebrated his goal by mimicking the 20, the shirt number that will never be worn again. Liverpool did much right, on and off the field, but it was tarnished by the actions of one in the crowd.

“We definitely don't want this at Anfield,” Slot added. “Unfortunately it is part of the story because we should talk about the great tribute for Diogo Jota.”