Liverpool manager Arne Slot has praised AFC Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo for his composure and professionalism after the Ghanaian forward was subjected to racial abuse during Friday night’s Premier League opener at Anfield.
The incident occurred midway through the first half, with Semenyo immediately reporting it to the referee. Officials from both clubs intervened, leading to a brief pause in play. Despite the abuse, Semenyo responded in emphatic fashion, scoring twice in the second half, though Bournemouth eventually lost 4-2 to Liverpool.
Speaking after the match, Slot condemned the incident and applauded Semenyo’s ability to stay focused under pressure.
“It’s a good thing you talk about this, and it’s a good thing that I have to answer this, but after actually this day should be about Diogo and about how the tribute was. But we definitely need to address this because it’s unacceptable in every football stadium, let alone at Anfield.
“I spoke to him [Semenyo] after the game that we will try to do everything to find that person. I am not 100 per cent sure but I think they already found him. That’s a good thing.”
The Dutch coach further commended Semenyo’s resilience and character.
“Wherever we can help him, we will try to do so. Big credit to him, if something happens like this and you can perform so well in the second half, then he’s not only a great player, because that I can see [with] how fast he is, but he is also very strong mentally.
“If something like that happened [and] to get such a second-half performance, that sums up him as a person and him as a player. But, again, [it’s] unacceptable in football in general, let alone at Anfield.”
Semenyo, who was Bournemouth’s standout performer on the night, will now shift focus to the Cherries’ upcoming clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Vitality Stadium next weekend.
