Liverpool secured a 3-0 victory against Bournemouth on Saturday, with Luis Diaz scoring twice and Darwin Nunez adding another goal.
Bournemouth seemed to have taken the lead early in the first half when Antoine Semenyo found the back of the net, but the video assistant referee disallowed the goal. Following that, Liverpool dominated their opponents with a flurry of scoring within an 11-minute window around the 30-minute mark. Diaz netted two goals in three minutes, and Nunez capped off the win with a curled shot in the 37th minute.
In this piece, The Athletic’s Andy Jones examines the key highlights from Anfield.
Can Liverpool afford to lose Alexander-Arnold?
Watching Trent Alexander-Arnold surge forward into the inside-right channel can instill fear in any defensive line in world football, and Bournemouth couldn’t contain him as he recorded his first Premier League assist of the season.
After receiving a neat pass from Mohamed Salah, he advanced toward the edge of the Bournemouth box, patiently awaiting an opportunity to pass to Diaz, who finished the move superbly.
This marked a significant milestone for the right-back, as he achieved his 100th goal involvement for Liverpool across all competitions (19 goals, 81 assists), becoming the youngest player since Steven Gerrard to reach this landmark for the club.
Trent Alexander-arnold now has 100 goal involvements for Liverpool in all competitions (19 goals, 81 assists).
Aged 25 years, 350 days, he is the youngest player to reach 100 goals and assists for #LFC since Steven Gerrard in August 2005 (25y 72d).
— Michael Reid (@michael_reid11) September 21, 2024
While this achievement is a testament to his significance in the team since making his first-team debut under Jurgen Klopp in 2017, it also emphasizes how crucial it is for Liverpool to ensure he remains at the club, especially with his current contract set to expire next summer.
Having provided his first club assist of the season with a precise floated free-kick for Ibrahima Konate against AC Milan during the midweek Champions League opener, his ability to influence matches in open play was also evident against Andoni Iraola’s team. Bournemouth struggled to respond to his dynamic runs from depth, enabled by the movements of other Liverpool players.
Addressing his contract situation should be Liverpool’s highest priority now for their new sporting director Richard Hughes. Being just 25 years old, the England international could see his goal-involvement figures soar if he remains at Anfield into his thirties. However, with each passing day without a new contract, uncertainty regarding his future continues to grow.
Was this Nunez’s arrival for the season?
Nunez took his time returning to the center circle after scoring his first goal of the season. He raised one arm, prompting the Anfield crowd to erupt in another rendition of his chant.
He appeared relieved, having ended a streak of 14 matches without scoring for Liverpool. This season had not begun as explosively as he had hoped under new head coach Arne Slot, with Diogo Jota clearly favored upfront, resulting in Nunez being used primarily as a substitute in the opening weeks.
In what was his first start of the season, Nunez had a relatively quiet first half until he came alive in the 38th minute. After receiving a pass from Salah down the right flank, Nunez expertly cut inside and curled a stunning shot off the far post.
Diaz celebrates his goal (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Just like Liverpool’s other players, Slot and his coaching staff have been focused on helping Nunez adjust to the new system. They have been utilizing video analysis to enhance his comprehension of the expectations placed upon him, both in possession and defensively. The results suggest that their efforts are proving beneficial.
Slot is likely to have been just as, if not more, satisfied with Nunez’s contributions out of possession. In addition to spearheading the press, Nunez consistently tracked back to aid his teammates in regaining control of the ball. A notable moment occurred after 30 minutes when the 25-year-old found himself deep in Liverpool’s half. He engaged in three challenges in quick succession, successfully earning his team a throw-in.
Throughout his initial two seasons at Liverpool, Nunez has faced skepticism, but the Anfield crowd fully backed him today, expressing their support enthusiastically. The challenge now is for him to maintain such high performance levels consistently. However, this match was the perfect foundation.
What was Diaz’s reaction to Gakpo’s performance in Milan?
Diaz found himself in a spectator role for the first time this season when Slot entrusted Cody Gakpo with his first start in the match against Milan. While the Dutch international made a strong impact at San Siro, Diaz made an impressive return to the lineup today.
The Colombian continued his outstanding start to the season, scoring two goals within five minutes to give Liverpool a commanding lead in the first half. It was another sensational performance from Diaz, who set the initial pace with his dribbling, leaving him disappointed not to have secured a hat-trick.
At 27 years old, he has thrived under Slot’s guidance, significantly increasing his goal contribution. With only three goals needed to match his league tally (eight) from last season, if he maintains this form, he is poised to surpass that mark swiftly.
Diaz scored twice in the first half (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Slot prefers to have two top-tier players vying for each position, and the competition for the left-wing spot between Gakpo and Diaz promises to be an intriguing contest.
Having both players fit and performing well presents Slot with an enviable dilemma. Gakpo was unfortunate to lose his starting position following one of his finest displays in a Liverpool jersey against Milan, while Diaz has also delivered remarkable performances.
If Diaz and Gakpo continue to elevate each other’s performance, then Premier League and Champions League right-backs will have to be on high alert.
What did Slot say?
“There were 12 minutes in which we scored three goals, but throughout the entire first half, we witnessed several such moments. The fortunate aspect for us was that their initial chance didn’t convert. Then we experienced a flurry of attacks within 12 minutes that resulted in three goals, which was truly gratifying to witness, especially as we faced a challenging opponent who, despite being 3-0 down, kept pressing on. In my view, it was tougher than the scoreline suggests.
Regarding Nunez, he said: “First and foremost, hard work for the team is essential. At the start of the season, it was Mo (Salah) who stood out, then Lucho (Diaz), followed by Cody (Gakpo), and Diogo also contributed to goals. Today, it was Lucho and Darwin making an impact. That’s what we wish to see.
“Consistency stems from two factors: work ethic and team performance. When the team’s performance is inconsistent, it’s incredibly challenging for an individual to maintain consistency. We need to establish our routines daily, both during training and in matches, to achieve this reliability. He exhibited a strong performance today, and perhaps he can do the same on Wednesday when West Ham visits in the Carabao Cup.
“When he shot, my first instinct was to think, ‘Why did he shoot?’. I initially would have preferred him to build the play, as he had created the opportunity, and I noticed the defender was on the ground. But then, just a split second later, I saw the ball hit the post and go in, and I thought, ‘Okay, maybe you are indeed a better footballer than I was.’”
What lies ahead for Liverpool?
Wednesday, September 25: West Ham United (H), Carabao Cup, 8pm BST, 3pm ET
Saturday, September 28: Wolverhampton Wanderers (A), Premier League, 5.30pm BST, 12.30pm ET
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(Top photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
