Match referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the 29th minute and spoke with managers Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola before respective captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith were called over to the dugouts.

It is understood police officers went into the referee’s room at half-time, while an anti-discrimination message was read out to the Anfield crowd.

A Premier League statement read: “Tonight’s match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

“This is in line with the Premier League’s on-field anti-discrimination protocol.

Premier League to launch 'full investigation' as Antoine Semenyo reports racist abuse at Anfield	Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo reports racist abuse from crowd to referee as clash with Liverpool is STOPPED temporarily at Anfield	Liverpool release statement after Antoine Semenyo reports alleged racist abuse

“The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated.

We offer our full support to the player and both clubs.

“Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society.

First game of the Premier League season, a beautiful day, 62,000 fans in the stadium and that boy (Semenyo) basically has been racially abused and has had to go over to a referee to complain about it.

“I can’t even begin to think what would be going through someone’s mind, however it’s happened, and it’ll keep on happening and it’s a sorry state.”

Fellow co-commentator Jamie Carragher added: “A shocking incident rightly reported to the referee.”

The incident comes two days after Tottenham’s Mathys Tel received racist abuse online after missing a penalty in his side’s Uefa Super Cup shoot-out defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Football Association said it was “concerned” about the allegation of racism towards Semenyo and that it would ensure “appropriate action” would be taken.

A statement from the FA read: “We are very concerned about the allegation of discrimination from an area of the crowd, which was reported to the match officials during the Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Bournemouth.

“Incidents of this nature have no place in our game and we will work closely with the match officials, the clubs and the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure the appropriate action is taken.”

After the incident, Semenyo scored twice in the second-half to help bring Bournemouth back from two goals down at Anfield before Liverpool went on to eventually win the contest 4-2.

Cherries’ Adam Smith told Sky Sports News afterwards: “It shouldn’t be happening.

We’re supporting him and, hopefully, he’ll be okay.

“I wanted him to react because that’s what I would have done, but this shows what type of man he is… to come up with those goals showed the type of guy he is.

“To be fair, the Liverpool players were very supportive as well towards Antoine and the rest of the team.

It was handled in the right way but… so angry.

“I don’t know what else we can do.

I just feel for Ant… shocking.”

Liverpool issued a statement which read: “Liverpool Football Club is aware of an allegation of racist abuse made during our Premier League game against AFC Bournemouth.

“We condemn racism and discrimination in all forms, it has no place in society or football.

“The club is unable to comment further as tonight’s alleged incident is the subject of an ongoing police investigation, which we will support fully.”

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