Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Champions marks twice to win the opening of the Premier League

Slot did not waste time to integrate his expensive summer acquisitions when he gave the first departures of the Premier League to the Quartet of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez – against his former club – Florian Wirtz and Ekitike.

The French Ekitike was by far the choice of the group with a dynamic performance as a marker and creator, rightly so receiving a standing ovation when it was replaced after 71 minutes.

Wirtz was silent in the role number 10 behind Ekitike, in what was a disjointed display of Liverpool missing so much calm and cohesion which was the brand of the first season of Slot in charge – which led Liverpool to walk by the title.

And, as in the defeat of the shield community by Crystal Palace, there was a vulnerability which crossed this Liverpool side which will require work and almost led them to a victory which belonged to him the first hour.

It was necessary a typical late push in front of the Kop to claim the three points in the face of a response from Bournemouth which too often exposed the defense of Liverpool – in particular in the flanks and in the midfield, where the stabilizing influence of the Ryan Gravenberch suspended was cruelly missed.

Liverpool, however, gathered as the champions do, Chiesa finally made his mark after life in the shadows in Anfield to put them in front, Salah inevitably wrapping things.

It is to be expected that the arrival of so many new faces, whatever his gifted, will lead to instability and this has been in evidence, leaving the work to be done to put all his many new parts in place.

Liverpool was delighted with the three points, Anfield celebrating accordingly, but it was a real fear because the champions were far from their best.