Liverpool rallied late to kick-start their Premier League title defence with a dramatic 4-2 win over Bournemouth as Anfield paid more heartwarming tributes to the late Diogo Jota.
The forward, who cruelly lost his life alongside brother Andre Silva in a car accident in early July, was honoured before, during and after the match with Arne Slot calling the commemorations "so impressive and powerful" and supporters belting his song during planned and spontaneous moments alike.
Liverpool players, sporting black armbands, went about their business professionally for the first hour, scoring a goal either side of the break, and looking every bit ready to mount another title challenge. Star of the show Hugo Ekitike showed plenty of promise on his Premier league debut, scoring one and creating another for Cody Gakpo.
But Antoine Semenyo, who had earlier reported racist abuse from a supporter, had other ideas. Exposing the same defensive weaknesses Crystal Palace did in Sunday's Community Shield victory, Semenyo scored twice in 12 minutes from two fast breaks, with Jamie Carragher criticising Slot's team for a "lack of balance". The winger gave former team-mate and Liverpool's new left-back Milos Kerkez a torrid time throughout.
The incident, which caused a three-minute stoppage midway through the first half and forced a fan to be ejected from the stadium, was labelled 'despicable' by Gary Neville and soured what was otherwise a poignant night of celebration on Merseyside, honouring the memory of Jota with a thrillingly entertaining, end-to-end game.
"It's a shame because a really great game of football, the first game of the season with everyone watching, and we have to be talking about this thing still today," Andoni Iraola reflected afterwards. Slot called the situation "unacceptable" and offered Semenyo his full support.
The contest was eventually settled by an unlikely source as Federico Chiesa arrived from the bench to score his first league goal with an 88th-minute volley, before an emotional Mohamed Salah wrapped up the points deep in stoppage time to extend his extraordinary record of scoring on opening weekend (10 goals).
The Egyptian was last to leave the pitch, with tears rolling down his face, having stood applauding the Kop singing Jota's song once more.
Sky pundits react to 'despicable' Semenyo incident
Sky Sports' Gary Neville:
"It overshadows what should be an amazing night. The first day of the Premier League season, a beautiful day.
"And that boy has [reported being] racially abused. It's despicable. I can't imagine what is going through that fan's mind.
"However, it has happened. It will keep on happening. It's a sorry state."
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
"With the amount of campaigns we have, it's shocking to see an incident like that.
"A shocking incident and rightly reported to the referee."
Smith full of praise for Semenyo
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said he was "in shock" and full of admiration for Semenyo.
"I don't know how Ant's played on, to be honest, and come up with those goals. It's totally unacceptable and I just feel sorry for Ant. He's a little bit down, obviously."
Smith revealed he asked referee Anthony Taylor to remove the person who abused Semenyo from the stadium immediately.
"But he said we have to go through a process, and that the police will go and sort it. And to be fair, the Liverpool players were supportive toward Antoine and the rest of the team. I think it was handled in the right way."
The Premier League said it will investigate the incident and "offer our full support to the player and both clubs."
Slot offers support to winger
Liverpool boss Arne Slot:
"It's under investigation with the police now. We've made a very clear statement. This day should be about Diogo and the tribute, but we have to address this so I'm glad I've been asked. It's unacceptable.
"I spoke to him [Semenyo] after the game to say we will do everything to find this person and wherever we can we will try to help.
"Credit to him, he's very strong mentally, to get such a strong second-half performance after this shows the kind of player he is. Unacceptable in football in general, let alone at Anfield."
Semenyo a reason for Bournemouth optimism
Analysis by Sky Sports' Laura Hunter at Anfield:
Arne Slot was right post-match. "It was a great game to watch", he declared. "This is what fans want to see."
This was everything a Premier League opener should be about. Entertainment, high intensity, comebacks and throwbacks. Exquisite goals as well as the rough and ready kind. It had the lot.
And therefore the fact it has been tainted by one senseless act is especially disappointing. What should be celebrated, however, is Semenyo's response to that idiocy.
He gave Kerkez and latterly Andy Robertson the runaround, scoring with two of his three shots on target, from an expected goals value of just 0.89. His performance was a triumph of talent and resolve and shows exactly why he had so many clubs interested this summer.
The fact Bournemouth have tied him down to a new five-year deal is a massive coup and also reason for optimism moving forwards.
