Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth – The Postmortem

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Anfield Index

·22 September 2024

Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth – The Postmortem

Diaz Double Leads Liverpool to Comfortable 3-0 Win Over Bournemouth

This was a game that ended with a Bournemouth side feeling hard done by, following the comprehensive score line that was handed down to a bedazzled visiting party. Liverpool was clinical and efficient in a first-half whirlwind of goals, which was in stark contrast to when Nottingham Forest arrived last Saturday afternoon. A top of the table reward was at stake for Arne Slot; therefore, this emphatic victory appeared crucial to this Anfield encounter and was delivered with a good performance against solid opposition.

The Starting Eleven

GK – Caoimhin Kelleher RB – Trent Alexander Arnold RCB – Ibrahima Konaté LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c) LB – Andy Robertson CM – Alexis Mac Allister ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai CM – Ryan Gravenberch RF – Mohamed Salah CF – Darwin Núñez LF – Luis Díaz

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Subs

Curtis Jones – Dominik Szoboszlai (67 mins) Federico Chiesa – Darwin Núñez (72 mins) Cody Gakpo – Luis Díaz (72 mins)

Goals (Assisted by)

Liverpool 1 – 0 Bournemouth Luis Díaz (Ibrahima Konaté) – 26 mins

Liverpool 2 – 0 Bournemouth Luis Díaz (Trent Alexander Arnold) – 28 mins

Liverpool 3 – 0 Bournemouth Darwin Núñez (Mohamed Salah) – 37 mins

Important Match Stats

Possession Liverpool 59% – 41% Bournemouth

Total Shots Liverpool 19 – 19 Bournemouth

Crosses Liverpool 11 – 28 Bournemouth

Corner Kicks Liverpool 3 – 9 Bournemouth

Goalkeeper Saves Liverpool 6 – 9 Bournemouth

Match Recap

The opening period of this game was almost a terrifying throwback to last season for the expectant Liverpool following, as the visitors took the lead on just four minutes. A shot-come-cross from outside the box found its way to Antoine Semenyo, who scored from close range. Alongside a flurry of groans throughout Anfield, VAR eventually came to the rescue, determining that the scorer was marginally offside.

Photo: IMAGO

As soon as the game restarted, rhythm was established by the hosts, and the eventual man of the match, Luis Díaz, began trying to open the scoring. A couple of fine efforts were repelled by Bournemouth’s keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, before Ibrahima Konaté launched a precision punt upfield. The centrally lofted assist was met by an infield-charging Lucho, who expertly controlled the ball beyond the bewildered keeper and surrounding defenders before rifling a shot into the far corner.

That initial goal was barely digested by the excited support before Trent Alexander Arnold recovered a loose pass, charged forward, and delivered a clever ball into the feet of Luis Díaz. The Colombian drilled a low shot under Kepa, landing the second goal and appearing to put the game beyond doubt.

The Key Moments

By the time Darwin Núñez added a third goal, it was clear that the game was not only done but well done. Mohamed Salah set Núñez into space, releasing yet another mouth-watering counter. The Uruguayan collected himself before curling an unstoppable shot beyond a hapless keeper.

Picture:IMAGO

The half ended with a scoreline that felt both astonishing and flattering. Despite a solid second half from Bournemouth, Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher produced standout saves to ensure a clean sheet.

Final Thoughts

The fireworks of the first half were enough to secure the win, and the second period was about consolidating the result. This win put Liverpool on top of the Premier League, at least for 24 hours.

With West Ham up next in the EFL Cup third round, rotation will likely be called upon to rest legs and share minutes. Liverpool will then face Wolves next Saturday, with curious eyes on Manchester City v Arsenal tomorrow.