Police have launched a hate crime investigation after ejecting a 47-year-old fan from Liverpool's stadium for his alleged racial abuse of Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo during the opening match of the Premier League season.

Hugo Ekitike had a goal and an assist as Liverpool got their Premier League season off to a winning start despite a blown two-goal lead to Bournemouth at Anfield on a night the club honored deceased forward Diogo Jota.

Follow reaction as a dramatic win for the champions kicked off the 2025-26 campaign, with Antoine Semenyo reporting he was subject to racist abuse

Liverpool players and fans have paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, at the first competitive match at Anfield since their death last month.

Start time for the EPL opening match between Liverpool and Bournemouth, TV and streaming options, and the full schedule for Matchdays 1 and 2.

Liverpool (0-0-0) open defense of their Premier League title Friday when they take to the pitch against Bournemouth (0-0-0). The Reds finished first last season with 84 points, while Bournemouth ended 28 points behind Liverpool with 56 points in ninth.

Liverpool have signed 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a deal worth 26 million, but he will have to wait for his debut after missing the Bournemouth game.

Federico Chiesa dedicated his dramatic goal in Liverpool's 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on the opening day of the Premier League season to the late Diogo Jota.