Liverpool vs Bournemouth stopped as Antoine Semenyo reports 'racist remark' and ref reacts

The opening game of the new Premier League season between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth was stopped in the first half after Antoine Semenyo reported that he was the subject of racist abuse. Referee Anthony Taylor was informed of the incident after 30 minutes, holding talks with a number of individuals before play resumed.

The official then spoke at length with both Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola to discuss what Semenyo had informed him of. The talks then continued for a few moments before a number of players from both teams also made their way to the touchline to discuss the stoppage.

Club captains Virgil van Dijk and Adam Smith were then told about the stoppage, with the referee then exchanging a brief few words with Semenyo. A number of fingers were then pointed in the direction of a group of fans sitting near the touchline before the Anfield Tannoy announced: "Operation Anfield Exercise."

Both teams then made their way back out onto the pitch and play soon resumed, with the Sky Sports cameras showing a few players comforting Semenyo - who it was announced had informed the officials about the racist remark initially. Play then resumed, and Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring just a few moments later.

Speaking about the incident, Gary Neville told Sky Sports: "It overshadows what should be an amazing night, the first game of the Premier League season, a beautiful day, 62,000 fans in the stadium and that boy (Semenyo) has basically been racially abused and had to go over to a referee and complain about it, and it's despicable.

"I can't even begin to think what will be going through someone's mind, however, it has happened, it will keep on happening and it's a sorry state."

Asked about the importance of a player stepping up and reporting the incident, Jamie Carragher added: "You could see when everyone was getting together, not everyone was quite sure what was going on. The amount of campaigns that we have, 'kick racism out', different things all across the world as well.

"It's shocking, an incident like that. He's taking the long throws on both sides, whether it came through that, I'd seen a fan that was really close to him at that stage, but a shocking incident and rightfully reported to the referee."