The 2025-26 Premier League season opened at Anfield on Friday with Liverpool defeating Bournemouth 4-2 in a match framed by poignant tributes to former forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who were killed in a car accident on 3 July. Jota’s family watched from the stands as players and supporters observed a minute’s silence, displayed a stadium-wide mosaic reading “DJ20” and “AS30” and wore black armbands. The crowd rose again in the 20th minute—Jota’s shirt number—for sustained applause, while proceeds from commemorative “Forever 20” shirts will fund club community projects and a planned memorial. On the pitch, summer signing Hugo Ekitike marked his league debut by scoring the campaign’s first goal in the 37th minute and forming the number 20 with his fingers in honour of Jota. The French striker then supplied the cross that allowed Cody Gakpo to double the lead seconds after the interval. Bournemouth replied through a quick brace from Antoine Semenyo, before late strikes by Federico Chiesa (88’) and Mohamed Salah (90+4) restored Liverpool’s advantage and secured the champions’ first three points. According to Opta, Ekitike is only the second Liverpool player—after Darwin Núñez in 2022—to register both a goal and an assist on his Premier League debut for the club. The Premier League said it will investigate reports of racist abuse aimed at Semenyo that briefly halted play in the first half. Liverpool manager Arne Slot hailed the “emotionally charged but deserved” victory as the holders began their title defence, while the club confirmed that Jota’s No. 20 shirt has been permanently retired across all teams.