Liverpool went five points clear at the top with an impressive 4-0 win at Bournemouth
Liverpool had the opportunity to go five points clear at the top of the Premier League table should they beat Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. The Reds lost by a goal to nil at this ground last March.
Standing in their way was a side in hot form. The Cherries had suffered just one defeat in all competitions since their 6-1 dismantling at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium at the start of November.
Their last defeat at their home ground came at the hands of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool – who beat them 2-1 in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, courtesy of a wonder-strike from Darwin Nunez.
The Uruguayan striker would start alongside Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz in Sunday’s Premier League meeting. Conor Bradley was another notable addition into the starting eleven, making his Premier League debut, due to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kostas Tsimikas and Andrew Robertson still sidelined with injury.
The first half was cagey to say the least. One of the best chances of the first half was Alexis Mac Allister’s long-range strike, which bobbled wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand side.
Liverpool, or ‘second-half-FC’, kicked into gear for the second 45 minutes – with Nunez netting the opening goal inside the first four minutes. It was a beautifully-worked, team goal with one-touch passes culminating to an effortless finish.
Cody Gakpo entered the fray and just six minutes later provided the assist for Diogo Jota who finished low and hard at the near post to double Liverpool’s advantage. ‘Jota the Slotter’ would score his second goal of the game nine minutes later after an initial misshit fell sweeter at the second time of asking.
Liverpool were 3-0 up and cruising on the south coast, Bournemouth asking few questions in the second half whatsoever. It would be Darwin Nunez, who clearly loves playing at the Vitality Stadium, to score Liverpool’s fourth and final goal of Sunday afternoon. It was a lovely sweeping finish from Joe Gomez’s cross.
It was a perfect afternoon for Liverpool, who moved five points clear of second-place Manchester City (who do have a game in hand).
The next challenge for the Reds is a midweek trip to the Capital to face off against Fulham in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, with Liverpool leading 2-1 on aggregate.
Kick-off is at 8pm on Wednesday, 24 January.
Bournemouth team: Neto, Aarons, Zabarnyi, Mepham, Hill (Kelly 55), Cook (Billing 83), Christie, Tavernier, Kluivert (Brooks 69), Sinisterra (Scott 55), Solanke (Moore 83).
Liverpool team: Alisson, Bradley (Beck 83), Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Elliott (Gravenberch 64), Mac Allister, Jones (Clark 83), Diaz (Gakpo 64), Jota (Gordon 90+3), Nunez.
Read More Liverpool Coverage:
- Liverpool 2-1 Fulham: Reds Score Another Comeback Win In Opening Leg
- Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: Dazzling Diaz Seals FA Cup Win In The Capital
- Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle United: Salah, Jones & Gakpo Fire Reds Three Points Clear
- Burnley 0-2 Liverpool: Nunez & Jota Send Reds Top On Boxing Day
- Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal: Salah Scores As Reds Drop Points To Gunners