Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth
by James Nalton
at Anfield
 

LIVERPOOL scored three goals in 12 exceptional first-half minutes to seal a win against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

The victory saw Arne Slot’s side recover from a disappointing defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in their previous league game.

Liverpool have clicked into gear fairly quickly under Slot, with a midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominic Szoboszlai being particularly notable as part of a new look under the new coaching staff post-Jurgen Klopp.

Not in terms of the personnel, each of whom was introduced in Klopp’s final season, but in the way they operate, in a different kind of fluid midfield three from the one seen under Klopp.

Colombian winger Luis Diaz has also started the season well, and he scored twice within two minutes against Bournemouth — his fourth and fifth goals in his last four games.

Darwin Nunez, starting in place of Diogo Jota, scored Liverpool’s third with an outstanding effort with his left foot, cutting in from the right wing.

Slot has kept the pressing off the ball from Klopp’s era. “They haven’t lost their intensity as a team, they haven’t lost their threat in transition,” Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola said of Liverpool.

At one point in the second half, a handful of sections of the Anfield Kop sang the name of Jason Morland, the City of Liverpool FC, Liverpool FC supporter and grassroots football videographer, who passed away last week.

City of Liverpool FC (COLFC) held tributes during their 4-0 FA Trophy win against Pontefract Collieries on Friday night.

“The flooding of tributes all over this week has shown the measure of the man, and the lads have shown how much he meant to us,” said COLFC manager Paul McNally after that game.

“It was really emotional. We’ve lost someone who is irreplaceable at this club.”

The wins for Liverpool FC and COLFC were fitting. The accompanying tributes were a demonstration of the link between the amateur, non-League game and the Premier League that is maintained in Liverpool — something Morland contributed to greatly through his presence at games and the footage he recorded and shared.

“He gave myself and many other lads in non-League/amateur football a platform with his footage and captured some unforgettable memories,” said former COLFC and now Burton Albion attacking midfielder Jack Hazlehurst. “A person who would have done anything for anyone. Thanks for everything Jase.”