Police launch investigation into alleged racist abuse of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo at Anfield as Liverpool boss Arne Slot condemns incident on night of tributes to Diogo Jota

The opening fixture of the new Premier League season between Liverpool and Bournemouth was stopped after 29 minutes when Semenyo, 25, reported the alleged abuse to referee Anthony Taylor. Merseyside Police have since confirmed that a 47-year-old man was ejected from Anfield and an investigation is now underway.

The incident detracted from an emotional evening in which Liverpool supporters came together to pay tribute to Jota, 28, who tragically died in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva, 25, in Spain in July. Fans in both the Kop and the Sir Kenny Dalglish stands formed mosaics which read 'DJ20' and 'AS30' before the match, while Mohamed Salah was reduced to tears as he joined in a rendition of Jota's chant after the game.

Following his side's 4-2 victory over Bournemouth, Slot condemned the alleged abuse of Semenyo, saying: “It is unacceptable in any stadium, especially Anfield. It shouldn’t happen but unfortunately we definitely have to talk about it. 

"It should be about Diogo and how the tributes were. I spoke to Antoine after the game and said the club will do everything we can to find the person responsible. Big credit to him if something happens to him and he can perform like this. He is not only a great player but very strong mentally. But it is unacceptable."

Semenyo showed immense courage despite the incident, scoring two second-half goals to cancel out Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo's earlier efforts for Liverpool. Slot's men went on to claim all three points, though, thanks to late strikes from Federico Chiesa and Salah.

Semenyo and Bournemouth will be hoping to secure their first league win of the new season when they play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 23. Meanwhile, Slot and Liverpool travel to Newcastle United on August 25.