Federico Chiesa on 'emotional' Liverpool song, help from Diogo Jota and what has to change

Chiesa

Federico Chiesa dedicated his first Premier League goal to Diogo Jota and declared his love for Liverpool amid continued transfer speculation.

Chiesa came off the bench to put the Reds back ahead with just two minutes of normal time remaining as they ultimately earned a 4-2 win over Bournemouth in the opening Premier League game of the season on Friday evening.

It was Liverpool's first competitive home match since the death last month of Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash, with tributes paid to the pair before, during and after the game.

Chiesa's strike was only his third since arriving from Juventus a year ago.

And asked if it was a moment he had been waiting for, Van Dijk: "It is, it's a great goal and it was really emotional today.

"After I scored, my thoughts went to Diogo, to Andre and to Diogo's family who were here today. It was really emotional. The goal was for him.

"In my mind, Diogo was somewhere in here helping me to score this goal. I would like to think of it like that.

"He is always going to be with us. It was tough today but it was a great atmosphere, the fans were amazing throughout the game."

A lack of minutes last season has seen Chiesa linked heavily with a move back to Italy, although Liverpool's lack of forward options has prompted head coach Arne Slot to dismiss such talk at present.

Despite his action being limited, Chiesa has proven popular with supporters, with his late strike prompting a passionate airing of his trademark song from the Kop.

Chiesa

: "I am really grateful for the song they are singing. It was really, really emotional.

"At Anfield, it seems in the second half when you attack the Kop, it feels like the ball wants to go inside the net. Today I want to think we also had the help of Diogo and his brother up there.

"I love the club, I am playing for one of the best clubs in the world. I feel the passion of the fans, the energy, it is mesmerising. It's just incredible. I am so happy to be here."

Liverpool began their title defence by going two goals ahead through Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo, only for Antoine Semenyo to twice capitalise on poor defending to draw Bournemouth level.

Chiesa's goal was followed by a strike from Mohamed Salah during injury time, and the Italy international admits a revamped Liverpool - who started with four new signings - need to improve.

Speaking to LFC TV,Chiesa said: "We showed last year we deserve to be champions. We showed character, determination and every game in the Premier League isn't finished until the ref blows the whistle.

"We have to be more concentrated at the moment because we had the game in hand.

“We could have shown a bit more concentration. We played a really good game and Bourmeouth had two chances on the counter.

"At the end we had to score the two goals but we need to improve, we don't want to have to score two goals at the end to win a game.

“But at the end of the day, we showed why we were champions last year. We have players who can come in and get us over the hurdle and get us the win."