But forgotten man Federico Chiesa, Liverpool’s solitary signing last summer who has barely featured and whose future looked to be elsewhere, volleyed home his first league goal in the 88th minute before Mohamed Salah scored for the eighth time in nine opening-day fixtures.

.

But that did not diminish what was hugely-deserved credit for Semenyo, who did not allow the first-half incident to throw him off his game, as he gave former team-mate and Liverpool’s new left-back Milos Kerkez a torrid time.

Liverpool leave it late to win thrilling PL opener LIVE!	Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Hugo Ekitike stars as Reds leave it late to down Cherries	Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth LIVE REACTION: Salah in tears after Reds claim dramatic late win in Premier League season opener

It had begun so well with another new signing Hugo Ekitike starting to pay back his £69million transfer fee with a first-half goal, having scored last weekend.



Hugo Ekitike has hit the ground running

But shortly afterwards referee Anthony Taylor halted play, calling Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and Iraola together with the fourth official Farai Hallam to tell them the Semenyo had reported a racist comment from a fan at the front of the Main Stand.

Within four minutes of the second half starting Cody Gakpo, via an Ekitike assist, doubled the lead but Liverpool were far from their best on a night when Anfield remembered former striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva after their deaths in a car crash last month.



Antoine Semenyo scored two fine goals to stun Liverpool

David Brooks raced down the left and Konate could not prevent him sending over a teasing, low cross which Semenyo cleverly finished.