The Reds were drawing 2-2 with AFC Bournemouth in their Premier League opener at Anfield on Friday night when Chiesa was introduced from the bench with 81 on the clock.
Seven minutes later, the Italian met a half-cleared ball inside the area with a volley into the Kop-end net that put Arne Slot’s team back ahead and sent the home supporters into ecstasy.
Chiesa’s first goal in the Premier League for the club was followed by a Mohamed Salah strike to seal a 4-2 win, in Liverpool’s first competitive home fixture since the passing of Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.
“It is [the moment I’ve been waiting for]. It’s a great goal!” Chiesa told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“It was really emotional today and after I scored, my thoughts went to Diogo, to Andre, to his family who were here today. It was really emotional. The goal was for him.
“In my mind, I think that Diogo was somewhere in here helping me to score this goal. I’d like to think like that. He’s always with us, he’s going to be with us.
“It was tough today but there was a great atmosphere, the fans were amazing throughout the game. Also, I’m really grateful for the song they’re singing. Really, really emotional.”
The No.14 added: “Above all, at Anfield it seems like in the second half when you attack towards the Kop, it feels like the ball wants to go inside the net.
“And today, I want to think that we had also the help of Diogo and his brother up there.”
Liverpool looked to be heading for a much more straightforward result after Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo found the target either side of the interval for a 2-0 lead.
But the Cherries responded determinedly and hauled themselves level thanks to a second-half brace provided by Antoine Semenyo.
