Despite Liverpool’s 1-0 win at The Vitality Stadium courtsey of a goal from not being a Premier League classic, there were still some important takeaways from the Reds’ performance as well as Iraola’s tactical choices.
It wasn't vintage, and it certainly wasn't pretty, but Liverpool's autumn march on the south coast proved that.
Sunday's narrow Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool victory at the Vitality Stadium secured a third consecutive Premier League clean sheet, stretching a defensive shut-out run that stretches back to August. For all the talk about the fluid attacking players that still need polishing under the Basque manager, this was a triumph very much needed after their rivals dropped points over the weekend.
The visitors had to ride their luck at times. A miraculous first-half stop from the veteran Brazillian between the sticks and an authoritative, all-action masterclass from the young French centre-back ensured the Reds were kept at bay during their heaviest spells of pressure.
Post-match, the Liverpool boss pointed directly to familiarity as the catalyst for this sudden defensive solidity. With new faces like the Uruguayan right-back and the French central defender bedding in alongside the Dutch captain and Hungarian full-back, the connections are finally knitting together.
"The more time especially the defenders play together, the more it becomes solid as a unit," the manager reflected.
It's a work in progress, but if Liverpool can keep locking the back door while the forward line clicks into gear, these are the ugly, hard-fought afternoons that end up defining a season and here are five things we learnt from the South Coast.
1) Trust put in Trey Nyoni
With Liverpool holding a slender one-goal advantage in the 70th minute, the 19-year-old was the first player Iraola called upon to help his side see out the game.
The Liverpool manager opted for the teenager to come on ahead of Ryan Gravenberch, potentially suggesting Nyoni sits ahead of the Dutchman in his midfield pecking order, following his impressive performance against Spurs in midweek.
This was Nyoni’s third Premier League appearance of the season, with the midfielder already playing more minutes in the league this campaign than he managed all last season.
2) Ryan Gravenberch in the 10?
The defensive lapses displayed by Ryan Gravenberch during Liverpool’s chaotic 2-2 draw against Newcastle United on opening weekend appear to have strained his manager's confidence.
Not only did the Liverpool manager opt to bring on Nyoni before him, but when the 24-year-old was called upon, it was to play in the number 10 position, with both Nyoni and Mac Allister behind him. While Arne Slot consistently used Liverpool’s number 38 as a number six, Iraola certainly hasn’t warmed to the idea.
3) Defensively solid
While it wasn’t the most thrilling game of football, that was helped by how well Liverpool nullified Bournemouth’s attacking threat. The Cherries were limited to nine shots worth a combined total of 0.76 expected goals (xG), helping Liverpool to a third Premier League clean sheet in a row.
No player has been more important to Liverpool’s defensive stability than new signing Jeremy Jacquet. The 21-year-old has more than filled the void left by Ibrahima Konate, showing levels of composure well beyond his years again today.
4) Attacking flexibility
Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola started together for the first time today. While both players have traditionally been left-sided forwards, it was Barcola who started on that side today. However, it was the Frenchman who was ineffective and struggled to get involved in the game, while Gakpo provided the assist for Isak’s winner from the right.
The Dutchman then moved flanks upon Victor Munoz’s introduction to the game, showcasing his ability to play on either side. With Munoz, Gakpo, Barcola and Rio Ngumoha all featuring on both sides already this season, this attacking flexibility will be an important element of Liverpool’s season with changes likely based on opponent and game state.
5) Feed Alexander Isak and he will score
Iraola appears to be getting the most out of Liverpool’s record signing, with the Swede’s strike against Bournemouth today his 4th of the season – already matching his goal tally for the whole of last season.
The use of a right-footed right winger paid dividends today with Gakpo’s cross setting up the goal, a goal reminiscent in style of the ones Isak notched for Newcastle with Jacob Murphy’s service from the right. If Liverpool want to win trophies this season, supplying their number nine is going to be the key, because his finishing has never been in doubt.
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