Liverpool player ratings as Chiesa heroic but two get 5 in Bournemouth thriller
by Ian Doyle · Liverpool EchoLiverpool player ratings as Federico Chiesa heroic but two get 5/10 in Bournemouth thriller
Ian Doyle with the Liverpool player ratings and scores from the opening Premier League match against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday evening
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Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah scored dramatic late goals as Liverpool began their defence of the Premier League title with a remarkable victory at home to Bournemouth. Chiesa, only introduced in the 82nd minute, scored with two minutes of normal time remaining before Salah notched during additional time after the Reds had thrown away a two-goal lead.
Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring in the first half before Cody Gakpo struck shortly after the interval, only for Antoine Semenyo to capitalise on poor defending twice to level the match.
Here the ECHO runs the rule over Arne Slot's side after an entertaining evening at Anfield.
Alisson Becker 6
Made a simple stop from Tavernier and much of first-half showing was about his range of passing. Couldn’t do much about either Semenyo goal.
Jeremie Frimpong 6
Looked to overlap down the right during the opening quarter with mixed results. More settled second half. Subbed.
Ibrahima Konate 5
All over the place for large parts of the first half and prompted signs of unease among team-mates. Totally exposed for Bournemouth second, though.
Virgil van Dijk 6
Not overly comfortable on occasion early on but improved until being slow to react to cross for first Bournemouth goal.
Milos Kerkez 5
Struggled up against former team-mate Semenyo and much of Bournemouth’s joy came down his flank. Booked and subbed.
Dominik Szoboszlai 7
Endeavour was required as Liverpool were way off it in opening 20 minutes. Kept at it throughout and important in helping the Reds come again after being pegged back.
Alexis Mac Allister 6
Pass found Ekitike for the opener but lack of match sharpness evident at times. Not afraid to get stuck in and took a few bangs. Subbed.
Mohamed Salah 6
Forced save from Petrovic early on from range but too many of his ambitious passes off radar before interval, then completely lost his way second half and inadvertent assist for Bournemouth leveller. Good finish for fourth, though.
Florian Wirtz 6
Tried to get Liverpool going creatively but far too often knocked off the ball first half and found physicality of Bournemouth difficult before stronger after half-time. Ended game up front before being subbed.
Cody Gakpo 7
A lot of effort and one good cross for Ekitike but ran down too many blind alleys first half before finding his range after that, not least with excellent goal for second.
Hugo Ekitike 8
Took his goal well after barging his way through Senesi and provided a focal point of the attack, laying on second for Gakpo. Another impressive showing. Subbed.
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Wataru Endo (for Frimpong 60) 6
Didn’t look comfortable coming on a right-back and soon switched to central midfield, and could claim assist for fourth.
Andy Robertson (for Kerkez 60) 6
Introduced to loud reception but impact minimal.
Joe Gomez (for Ekitike 71) 6
First Premier League appearance of the calendar year.
Curtis Jones (for Mac Allister 71) 6
Brought on to add energy to midfield.
Federico Chiesa (for Wirtz 82) 8
Great finish for the important third and won a pressure-relieving free-kick a bit later too.
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