Arne Slot’s Liverpool impressed with a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
The Dutch boss made several changes coming into proceedings, with second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher replacing the injured Alisson in the net. Darwin Nunez was given a chance with his first Premier League start this term, with Diogo Jota making way.
Liverpool fans would have been keen to see new man Federico Chiesa out for the first time at Anfield, but he settled for a place on the bench after appearing during the midweek victory over AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
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The Reds were in for an early shock when, on four minutes, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo had the ball in the net in front of the Kop, but it was ruled out for an offside in the build-up to the relief of the Anfield faithful.
This seemed to wake the home side up; Luis Diaz used his usual trickery to beat a defender three minutes later, when he unleashed a powerful shot, but on-loan Chelsea ‘keeper Kepa was up to the task with a smart save.
Then, on 13 minutes, Dominik Szoboszlai’s volleyed pass split the Cherries’ defence, but Mohamed Salah could only test the keeper once more.
However, the resistance did not last long, on 27 minutes, Diaz beat the offside trap before taking a tidy touch to take it around the ‘keeper, then he added the finishing touch to give Slot’s side the lead.
Just two minutes later, the Colombian doubled his tally, receiving the ball at the back post before beating Kepa once more.
Sticking with the South American theme, Nunez got in the act with arguably the pick of the bunch. He cut inside on 37 minutes before striking a perfect shot past the Cherries’ goalkeeper to give Slot’s side a three-goal lead going in at half-time.
The game was all but over by the second period but fans were eventually treated to new man Chiesa who, alongside Cody Gakpo, was given his chance on 73 minutes in place of goalscorers Nunez and Gakpo.
The win sees Liverpool up to first-place, leaping above Manchester City in the table, with Pep Guardiola’s side set to face Arsenal tomorrow afternoon.
Sticking with Szoboszlai
After last week’s torrid home performance against Nottingham Forest, the Hungarian was singled out by many Liverpool supporters for his lacklustre performance. However, this week he has answered several critics with a goal in the 1-3 victory in Italy before putting in another tidy performance against Bournemouth.
Delightful Diaz
The Colombian has clearly always had the skill and talent to light up Anfield but it was his finishing that fans questioned at times last season. However, any questions were answered on Saturday afternoon with two goals in as many minutes to take his tally to three goals for the season – adding today’s return to his header in the 0-3 win at Old Trafford recently.
Calm Kelleher
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Although he was linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, the Irishman was up to the task as he filled in for usual shot-stopper Alisson, against Adoni Iraola’s side. Yes, it was not the most pressurised of games, but he did what was asked of him – always a good thing to fall back in the nightmare of Alisson picking up a long-term knock occurs.
Determined Darwin
The maverick striker was seemingly frozen out in recent weeks but when given his chance against the Cherries, he certainly took it. His 37th-minute strike, to make it 3-0, showed the fans and manger exactly what he can do; he cut inside with nothing on, so unleashed a wonderful strike from the edge of the box, giving Kepa no chance and the Reds a secure lead. His performance may have given the new Liverpool boss something to consider when selecting his side for next week’s trip to Wolves.
Timeless Trent
The Liverpool-born defender, was once again in impressive form. He provided the assist for Diaz’s second and in doing so registered his 100th goal involvement as a Reds player – 19 goals and 81 assists. Despite not really being tested defensively his attacking class was there for all to see on a pleasant afternoon for those in Red.