Liverpool moved into gear, getting the sport received within the first half as attacking gamers discovered their groove and the midfield clicked in a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth
Premier League (5), Anfield
September 21, 2024
Targets: Diaz 26′ 28′, Nunez 37′
Luis Diaz is the star thus far
Diaz scored eight targets within the Premier League final season, his greatest return since becoming a member of the membership in January 2022.
This season, he’s already simply three targets behind that whole, netting his fourth and fifth with two well-taken finishes versus Bournemouth.
This brace additionally made it 5 targets in his final 4 video games after he scored twice towards Man United so as to add to his strike towards Brentford within the first dwelling sport of the season.
He additionally hit the publish within the first half towards Nottingham Forest which may have provided that sport a unique outlook.
Liverpool have a robust attacking group within the squad this season, and thus far Diaz is the star.
Anfield responded with ambiance
There was a way within the loss to Forest that the workforce didn’t give Anfield something to get behind.
It wasn’t simply the defeat, but in addition the tame method of it that gave the group nothing to hold on to and spur their workforce on.
That was not the case towards Bournemouth because the combat proven by the workforce off the ball gave followers lots to cheer.
The names of Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Darwin Nunez all rang out at varied factors early on within the sport, largely for defensive effort somewhat than attacking play.
It reveals that it isn’t simply the free-flowing, attacking strikes – of which there have been a number of – that get the group concerned.
Anfield regarded resplendent on a heat September afternoon, and on this event there was some ambiance to go together with it.
It wasn’t precisely the cauldron it may be on a European evening, however for a 3pm Saturday afternoon kickoff it was fairly good, as workforce and supporters labored collectively.
Nunez impressed on his first begin for Slot
Nunez was making his first begin beneath Arne Slot, coming into the XI up prime instead of Diogo Jota.
There was no lack of assist from the striker as he supplied his traditional model of dynamism main the road and shutting down opposition gamers in defence.
Chants of ‘Nunez, Nunez’ could possibly be heard round Anfield every time the Uruguayan was concerned, in or out of possession – normally a mixture of each in the identical transfer.
On one such event he careered onto a Mohamed Salah go, and with the Egyptian ready within the center for a return go and Diaz on a hat-trick making a run of his personal, everybody was ready to see which teammate Nunez would pick.
As a substitute, he discovered the far nook, scoring Liverpool’s third aim and placing the sport to mattress.
There have been a few sloppy passes as soon as in good areas as the sport went on, however he regarded sharp and able to contribute beneath his new supervisor.
An unpredictable midfield discovered its groove
The midfield dynamic has been probably the most fascinating points of the Slot period thus far.
At occasions on this sport, Ryan Gravenberch was the lone holding participant when Liverpool discovered themselves excessive up the pitch. On these events, the formation regarded extra like 4-1-4-1.
In deeper buildup play there was a field of 4 with the striker dropping deep to hitch Dominic Szoboszlai in an attacking midfield space whereas Alexis Mac Allister and Gravenberch fashioned a two in entrance of the defence.
Perhaps that is a part of the tactical setup Nunez wanted to get used to.
Liverpool formation in buildup vs. Bournemouth. pic.twitter.com/sqGbrlJb2X
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) September 21, 2024
The extra possibility of Trent Alexander-Arnold dipping into midfield was on present because the right-back carried the ball ahead via the center to help Diaz’s second aim.
There have been neat moments between all three of the designated midfielders, and although Szoboszlai received’t bother the participant rankings algorithms a lot on this sport, his linkup play was a part of this midfield play that clicked, particularly within the first half.
Slot’s rotation choices can be raring to go
Each participant on Liverpool’s bench can be raring to go if given the prospect to start out towards West Ham within the Carabao Cup in midweek.
They’ll wish to be part of this feel-good begin to the Slot period.
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth, workforce lineups, and many others. from at present’s huge sport. pic.twitter.com/F13De8xqtO
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) September 21, 2024
Apart from the outcome towards Forest, which might now go down as a blip – a lesson learnt – this Liverpool workforce has been the most effective round via the opening 5 video games.
Somebody like Jarell Quansah can be trying to present his value to the brand new supervisor after being subbed at half-time within the opening sport.
Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones may have an identical mindset of getting one thing to show, whereas Cody Gakpo can be trying to construct on his good efficiency in Milan.
Elsewhere, there’s pleasure round new signing Federico Chiesa, who continues to be trying to make his first begin.
He may properly accomplish that towards West Ham after a full of life cameo in a primary look at Anfield, taking pictures along with his first contact of the ball.
Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth
