Liverpool left the Vitality Stadium with the win as Alexander Isak scored the decisive goal, on a night that marked Andoni Iraola’s return to Bournemouth’s ground.
The finish came from a move of real quality down Liverpool’s right. Cody Gakpo charged forward and delivered a dangerous ball that Isak converted, capping a performance in which the Dutchman’s crossing quality proved decisive. Florian Wirtz also played his part in the goal, his attempt blocked by James Hill before the ball fell into the striker’s path.
Jeremy Jacquet took the highest rating of the night for Liverpool, a composed display that began with a naive challenge to foul Evanilson before he responded with a series of excellent tackles and calm work in possession. Signed in the summer for an initial £55m, the defender can now look forward to joining up with France.
Alisson was rated just behind him after an authoritative evening in which he made a great reaction save to deny Evanilson and proved integral to a clean sheet. Virgil van Dijk was solid again, ensuring Liverpool were not punished for a poor first half in attack, while Ronald Araujo looked comfortable defensively at right-back without contributing much going forward. Milos Kerkez, one of three Liverpool changes from the goalless draw at Fulham, struggled initially and was regularly targeted with the crossfield ball over his head, though his effort could not be faulted.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister did well to find space and open the game up after a slow start, and Dominik Szoboszlai played with real purpose, sending a first-half free-kick just wide and picking up a booking shortly after the interval. Wirtz, by contrast, endured another difficult evening despite his involvement in the goal and was rated as needing to do more. Bradley Barcola threatened in phases and had a deflected shot saved in the first half, but Liverpool want more from their marquee summer signing. Isak’s night had begun poorly, with a wayward effort and a cross that ballooned into the stands, before he was in the right place at the right time to finish without mistake — and he has already scored more Premier League goals than he managed last season.
Bournemouth’s evening was built on fine margins. Djordje Petrovic had a quiet first half but made a good save with his feet to keep out Barcola and had no chance of stopping Isak’s goal. Adam Smith put in a good shift on his 431st appearance for the club and largely nullified Barcola’s threat, while António Silva delivered another impressive display as he settles into life in the Premier League. Hill was solid on his 50th Premier League appearance and, like Silva, kept Isak quiet until the forward found space to break the deadlock. Adrien Truffert enjoyed a good battle with Gakpo but was sloppy in possession and was ultimately beaten by the Dutchman just before the goal.
Tyler Adams produced a decent display but will look back at the winner and wonder whether he should have done better defensively. Alex Scott was tidy, especially in possession, and can now look forward to joining England on international duty. Rayan, who scored in midweek, was good to watch whenever he had the ball but did not get on it enough, and produced a great ball to Ryan Christie after Liverpool scored. Christie started in the absence of Justin Kluivert, got into some good positions but failed to convert. Marcus Tavernier threatened going forward and nearly claimed an assist with a good cross for Evanilson, who caused problems and had a first-half flick saved by Alisson before another effort was denied after the break.
From the bench, Bournemouth introduced Cook, Brooks and Jebbison on 75 minutes, with Gannon-Doak and Toth following on 88. Liverpool brought on Munoz and Nyoni on 72, then Gravenberch and Koumas on 81.