However, the match has been marred by a controversial VAR decision that denied Liverpool a potential penalty and red card, leaving fans and pundits in uproar. The evening, already heavy with sentiment due to a heartfelt tribute to the late Diogo Jota, has been defined by Ekitike’s moment of brilliance and the officiating controversy that followed.
The defining moment came in the 40th minute when Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s 23-year-old summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, announced himself to the Anfield faithful with a breathtaking goal.
Receiving a precise pass from Alexis Mac Allister on the edge of Bournemouth’s half, Ekitike embarked on a mesmerizing solo run, weaving past every Bournemouth defender with a combination of quick footwork, deft body feints, and raw pace. Leaving Milos Kerkez, Marcos Senesi, and Illia Zabarnyi in his wake, Ekitike went one-on-one with Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner with a composed finish.
The Anfield crowd erupted, and Ekitike dedicated his celebration to Jota, pointing to the sky and holding up a shirt with “Jota 20” in a touching gesture. The Premier League’s official X account captured the moment, posting, “Hugo Ekitike puts Liverpool in front with his first Premier League goal! He collects Alexis Mac Allister’s pass and coolly finishes past Djordje Petrovic. And dedicates his celebration to Diogo Jota ❤️.”
However, the match took a contentious turn in the 63rd minute when Liverpool were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross into the box struck the outstretched arm of Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, who seemed to deliberately block a potential goal-bound effort from Mohamed Salah. Replays, shared widely on X and broadcast on Sky Sports, showed Kerkez’s arm extended unnaturally, with the ball making clear contact, halting Liverpool’s attack.
Liverpool players, led by Virgil van Dijk, appealed furiously for a penalty, with some signaling for a red card, arguing the handball denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Referee Anthony Taylor waved play on, and to the disbelief of the Anfield crowd, VAR official Paul Tierney upheld the decision after a brief review, deeming the contact “accidental” and the arm in a “natural position.” The Premier League’s Match Centre X account stated, “VAR checked and confirmed no penalty—arm in natural position, contact deemed accidental,” but the explanation did little to quell the outrage.
Fans on X erupted, with one post calling it “a scandalous decision—Kerkez’s arm was a mile out!” Another fumed, “VAR is useless if it misses that handball. Penalty and a red card all day long.” Pundits weighed in, with Gary Neville tweeting, “That’s a penalty in any league but this one. VAR’s inconsistency is killing the game.”
The decision sparked renewed debate about the Premier League’s handball rule, which penalizes unnatural arm positions or deliberate actions, especially when blocking a shot. The potential red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity added fuel to the fire, with Bournemouth arguably fortunate to avoid playing with 10 men.
The match, still in progress, has been a tightly contested affair, with Liverpool’s dominance punctuated by Ekitike’s goal but tested by Bournemouth’s resilient defense. Neto has made key saves for the visitors, while Dominic Solanke forced a sharp stop from Alisson.
The emotional backdrop remains poignant, with Liverpool honoring Jota, who tragically passed away in July. A minute’s silence, black armbands, and a fan-led “Jota 20” mosaic across The Kop and Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand set the tone, with Jota’s wife, Rute, and their children receiving a 20th-minute ovation.
As the game continues, Ekitike’s sensational goal and the VAR controversy dominate the narrative, with Liverpool pushing for a second to secure their season opener in front of a fervent Anfield crowd.
