Liverpool analysis: Ekitike shines but champions well below par

Image caption, After scoring for Liverpool, Hugo Ekitike paid tribute to Diogo Jota – who wore the club’s number 20 shirt

Slot wasted no time in integrating his expensive summer acquisitions as he gave first Premier League starts to the quartet of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez – against his former club – Florian Wirtz and Ekitike.

Frenchman Ekitike was far and away the pick of the bunch with a vibrant performance as scorer and creator, deservedly receiving a standing ovation when he was substituted after 71 minutes.

Wirtz was quiet in the number 10 role behind Ekitike ,in what was a disjointed Liverpool display lacking so much of the calm and cohesion that was the trademark of Slot’s first season in charge – which led to Liverpool strolling to the title.

And, as in the Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace, there was a vulnerability running through this Liverpool side that will need work and almost resulted in them squandering a win that was theirs for the taking for the first hour.

It needed a typical late surge in front of The Kop to claim the three points in the face of a Bournemouth response which exposed Liverpool’s defence far too often – especially down the flanks and through midfield, where the stabilising influence of the suspended Ryan Gravenberch was sorely missed.

Liverpool, however, gathered themselves as champions do, with Chiesa finally making his mark after life in the shadows at Anfield to put them back in front, Salah inevitably rounding things off.

It is only to be expected that the arrival of so many new faces, no matter how gifted, will lead to instability and this has been in evidence, leaving Slot with work to do to put all his many new pieces into place.

Liverpool were delighted with the three points, with Anfield celebrating accordingly, but this was a real scare as the champions were far from their best.

Bournemouth analysis: Despair for Cherries but Iraola can take encouragement

Bournemouth were presented with the toughest possible start to their Premier League campaign as they faced Premier League champions Liverpool at their fortress.

And it came after a summer of upheaval, with the defence that performed so well last season ransacked – Dean Huijsen sold to Real Madrid, Illia Zabarnyi to Paris St-Germain and Milos Kerkez in opposition here at Anfield – raising £147m in the process.

For all that, this was an excellent performance from Bournemouth that left them so close to an outstanding point before they fell victim to a typical late Liverpool surge.

And at the heart of it all was the outstanding Semenyo, who told experienced referee Taylor about being racially abused by a member of the crowd in the first half and responded with a superb display and two fine goals.

Bournemouth showed the strength of character and confidence manager Andoni Iraola has instilled in his team and they refused to take a backward step, even pressing for a winner at one stage.

Iraola has replenished his side with left-back Adrien Truffert and central defender Bafode Diakite, signed from Lille for £35m.

Talks are also under way to bring in talented Scotland forward Ben Doak from Liverpool.

This, on top of what Bournemouth delivered at Anfield, will give Iraola heart despite this late disappointment.

What’s next for these teams?

Liverpool: Newcastle United away on Monday week, then a meeting with Arsenal at Anfield the following Sunday.

Bournemouth: The Cherries meet Wolverhampton Wanderers at Vitality Stadium next Saturday, followed by a Carabao Cup second-round tie at home to Brentford three days later.