Liverpool put last weekend’s shock defeat at home to Nottingham Forest firmly behind them with a thumping 3-0 win over Bournemouth at Anfield.
A pair of Luis Diaz goals saw the Colombian continue his fine start to the season and mark his fifth goal in five league matches before Darwin Nunez’s sensational finish all but wrapped up the three points before the interval.
The Reds then held off a spirited effort from the visitors to find a way back after the break while continuing to threaten going forward. Three takeaways from an enjoyable afternoon for Arne Slot’s side.
1. Strong showing puts Liverpool back on track in the Premier League
Two seasons ago, Liverpool comfortably progressed from the group stages of the Champions League and delivered strong performances in victories over eventual league champions Manchester City and top-four finishers Manchester United and Newcastle.
However, their inconsistency in easier fixtures on paper ultimately forced them to settle for their lowest league finish in seven years.
Fast-forward two seasons and a flat display in a defeat at home to Nottingham Forest sandwiched between two thrilling victories away at Manchester United and AC Milan certainly fits that pattern.
That’s why as convincing as Slot’s side were in their 3-1 win at Milan on Tuesday, it was essential to carry that momentum back into the Premier League.
They did so convincingly on Saturday. Despite a nervy opening few minutes, in which Liverpool were fortunate that VAR narrowly ruled Antoine Semenyo’s goal offside after four minutes, the hosts eventually seized control and their three goal lead at the break painted an accurate picture of a commanding first-half.
Though their opponents committed greater numbers forward in search of a path back into the match, Liverpool comfortably kept them at an arm’s length and could well have added to their advantage.
The drop in the level of performance from the Reds’ 3-0 victory at Old Trafford to last week’s defeat to Forest at Anfield was shocking.
On Saturday, when a home clash with a traditionally mid-table side followed a memorable victory at the San Siro, Liverpool made it clear that they had learned their lesson.
2. Luis Diaz adds end product to his catalog
Luis Diaz’s quality greatly enhances Liverpool’s potency going forward. The winger is often involved when they progress the ball up the pitch and his ability to beat defenders frequently enables them to open up space in the final third and create chances.
Prior to this season, however, the one area in his game with the greatest room for improvement was his goal tally.
For all of Diaz’s value, his return of eight Premier League goals last season falls notably short of the numbers typical of a winger in a title challenging side.
Five matches into the league campaign, he is already more than half way to that count. Diaz opened his account for the season with a superb strike against Brentford in match week two and has maintained his ruthlessness in front of goal since, scoring twice against Manchester United and another brace this weekend.
Diaz’s two finishes this weekend points to visible progress when it comes to his composure in front of goal.
For his first, he latched on to a long ball from Ibrahima Konate, rounded Bournemouth keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and buried his finish into an empty net. From one hopeful ball over the top, Diaz required just three touches to score.
Two minutes later, he doubled his tally with just two: the first to receive Alexander-Arnold’s pass from inside the 18-yard box, the second to clinically dispatch his finish between Kepa’s legs.
Against Milan last week, Diaz started on the bench for the first time this season. If he maintains this level of performance, though, that won’t be the case often.
3. A mixed bag for Darwin Nunez in his first start of the season
The look of relief on Darwin Nunez’s face after he spectacularly curled in Liverpool’s third goal from just inside the box was clear.
The Liverpool forward had not scored in his previous 14 outings for the Reds and had yet to break into Slot’s first XI before Saturday.
Nunez’s first start of the season proved an apt microcosm of his Liverpool career as a whole. On top of his sublime finish, his pressing and general work rate showcased what he adds to his side.
However, his lack of composure when in dangerous positions was once again a source of frustration as he gave the ball away needlessly from several promising looking attacks.
Despite the Uruguayan’s talent, his chaotic style of play does not entirely align with the more controlled, somewhat slower approach Slot is trying to implement.
Saturday’s clash with Bournemouth suggests that it will take time for Nunez to adapt certain aspects of his game, particularly his decision making, to become a regular under his new manager.