Liverpool soared to the top of the table as three first-half goals saw the Reds cruise past Bournemouth.
The Cherries took an aggressive approach in the opening exchanges and were made to pay for their naivety with Luis Diaz scoring twice in two destructive minutes.
Darwin Nunez then put the game beyond reach after just 37 minutes with an excellent finish into the bottom left corner.
Liverpool went on to control the second period with consummate ease, while probing for a fourth with Nunez and Mohamed Salah both going close.
The defeat left Andoni Iraola’s side on five points from five matches while Arne Slot could spend the evening wallowing in the glory of sitting in pole position in the Premier League. Here, Mail Sport’s DOMINIC KING assesses the best and worst performers from the clash at Anfield.
Liverpool soared to the top of the table as three first-half goals saw the Reds cruise past Bournemouth
Luis Diaz scored two goals in two destructive minutes as Liverpool eased to victory at Anfield
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7
A couple of early jitters but his reliability is beyond question and one save in the second half was outstanding, showing his confidence had returned.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
Never tested defensively, it was his forays forward that caught the eye not least the surge that created the second for Diaz.
Ibrahima Konate – 7 (Booked)
How they love this big presence on The Kop and how they loved the ball he crashed forward to Diaz that led the pendulum to swing.
Virgil van Dijk – 8
Had one of those afternoons in which you could say he ‘had a cigar out’; looked like a man playing in a boys’ game, never out of second gear.
Andrew Robertson is consistent, indefatigable and without him Liverpool would be poorer
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s forays forward caught the eye not least for the surge that created the second for Diaz
Andrew Robertson – 7
For some reason, his form was questioned in the first couple of games. Rubbish. He’s consistent, indefatigable and without him Liverpool would be poorer.
Ryan Gravenberch – 8
Didn’t so much as play but purred. Sharp control, one touch passing, energy between the lines, becoming a fine No 6.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7
Played the pass of the match, a dipping, swerving inch-perfect 40-yard ball into Salah; highlight of a neat and tidy display.
Mohamed Salah – 6.5
Will have left the pitch fuming that he didn’t get in on the act as there seemed to be goals for him but his shooting lacked its killer instinct.
Dominik Sbozoslai – 6.5
Had a torrid afternoon in the defeat to Nottingham Forest but this was a step in the right direction. Not quite at the top level but getting there.
Mohamed Salah will have left the pitch fuming that he didn’t get in on the act
Dominik Szoboszlai was vastly improved from his showing in the shock defeat by Forest
Luis Diaz – 8.5 (MOTM)
So quick were his goals that some older Anfield regulars wondered whether Robbie Fowler’s quickest hat-trick at this stadium was in jeopardy. In a wonderful groove.
Darwin Nunez – 8
A fantastic goal, a standing ovation and a hug from his manager when departing late in the game. This will have done his confidence wonders.
Substitutes
Chiesa (for Diaz, 72) – 6.5
Gakpo (for Nunez, 72) – 6.5
Jones (for Sbozoszlai, 61) – 6
Not used: Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Vítezslav Jaros, Jarell Quansah, and Conor Bradley.
Arne Slot will have been left unimpressed by some aspects of his side’s performance but the Reds have bounced back admirably from defeat to Nottingham Forest
Manager
Arne Slot – 7
Some aspects of the performance will not have impressed this perfectionist but two wins in a week since Nottingham Forest was just what was required. Liverpool were well coached.
BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1)
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 5
Nonsensical decision to come charging out of his goal allowed Diaz to waltz around him and change the game.
Milos Kerkez – 5
The torment he suffered at the hands of Salah was evident in first half stoppage time when he felt compelled to haul the Egyptian down.
Dean Huijsen – 5 (Booked)
Too often found himself having a stream of Red shirts thundering in his direction and can’t be held responsible for the mauling.
Kepa Arrizabalaga shipped three at Anfield after making a summer switch from Chelsea to Bournemouth
The torment Milos Kerkez suffered at the hands of Salah was evident in first half stoppage time when he felt compelled to haul the Egyptian down
The happiest part of Julian Araujo’s afternoon was when Liverpool’s coaching staff decided Diaz had done enough running and he was withdrawn
Illia Zabarnyi – 5
Came up against a striker intent on causing mayhem and was fighting a losing battle from the moment Nunez got in the mood.
Julian Araujo – 5
The happiest part of his afternoon was when Liverpool’s coaching staff decided Diaz had done enough running and he was withdrawn.
Ryan Christie – 5 (Booked)
Never laid a glove on Mac Allister or Gravenberch after a bright opening and once Bournemouth lost control of midfield that was it.
Lewis Cook – 5 (Booked)
His attitude is always consistently excellent, as it should be as captain, but Liverpool had his measure and he was always coming off second best.
Marcus Tavernier – 6
Didn’t see enough of the ball but kept showing for it and his perseverance won his side a number of good free-kicks.
Justin Kluivert – 6 (Booked)
A flurry of good moments early, not least the wriggling run and cross-shot that Semenyo ‘converted’ but needed more assistance.
Antonie Semenyo – 6
Plenty of life in his performance and had he timed his fifth minute run a fraction later, the complexion of the game would have been significantly different.
Justin Kluivert had a flurry of good moments early, not least the wriggling run and cross-shot that Semenyo ‘converted’
Evanilson – 5
Most disappointing member of Bournemouth’s attack, the only surprise was that he managed to stay on until the 76th minute.
Substitutes
Dango Ouattara (for Kluivert, 46)
Alex Scott (for Christie, 69)
Adam Smith (for Araujo, 70)
Luis Sinisterra (for Semenyo, 70)
Enes Ünal (for Evanilson, 76)
Not used: Marcos Senesi, David Brooks, James Hill, and Mark Travers.
Evanilson was the most disappointing member of Bournemouth’s attack, the only surprise was that he managed to stay on until the 76th minute
Manager
Andoni Iraola – 5
No question that his team are adventurous and pleasing on the eye when it all clicks but everyone in the stadium could see where they were vulnerable and he never addressed it.
Referee
Tony Harrington – 6.5
Spot on with everything, nothing to cause him a problem; what a joy it was to have a game without any scrutiny on the referee.
