Liverpool moved to the top of the table with three first-half goals that allowed them to overtake Bournemouth.
The Cherries took an aggressive approach in the opening exchanges and paid for their naivety when Luis Diaz scored twice in two destructive minutes.
Darwin Núñez then put the game out of reach after just 37 minutes with a superb finish into the bottom left corner.
Liverpool controlled the second period with ease, although they looked for a fourth goal with Núñez and Mohamed Salah close to scoring.
Defeat left Andoni Iraola’s side with five points from five games, while Arne Slot could spend the evening basking in the glory of being top of the Premier League. Here, Mail Sport’s DOMINIC KING analyses the best and worst players from the clash at Anfield.
Liverpool moved to the top of the table with three first-half goals that allowed the Reds to overcome Bournemouth.
Luis Diaz scored twice in two destructive minutes as Liverpool eased to victory at Anfield
Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Caoimhin Kelleher – 7
There were some nerves at the start, but his reliability is beyond doubt and a save in the second half was outstanding, showing he had regained his confidence.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
He was never tested defensively, but it was his forays forward that caught the eye, particularly the surge that created Diaz’s second goal.
Ibrahima Konate – 7 (Cautioned)
How they love this huge presence on The Kop and how they love the ball he threw to Diaz that swung the pendulum.
Virgil van Dijk – 8
I had one of those afternoons when you could say I had “smoked a cigar”; I looked like a man playing a child’s game, never out of second gear.
Andrew Robertson is consistent, tireless and without him Liverpool would be poorer
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s forays forward caught the eye, particularly the lunge that set up Diaz’s second goal.
Andrew Robertson – 7
For some reason his performances were questioned in the first two games. Rubbish. He is consistent, tireless and without him Liverpool would be poorer.
Ryan Gravenberch – 8
He didn’t play much, but he purred. Precise control, one-touch passing, energy between the lines, making him an excellent number 6.
Alexis MacAllister – 7
He played the assist of the match, a perfect 40-yard ball that deflected towards Salah, the highlight of a neat and tidy display.
Mohamed Salah – 6.5
Will must have stormed off the pitch furious at not having played a part in the game as it looked like goals were in his favour but his shots lacked his killer instinct.
Dominik Sbozoslai – 6.5
We had a very hectic afternoon in the defeat against Nottingham Forest, but this was a step in the right direction. We are not at the top level, but we are close to getting there.
Mohamed Salah is said to have left the pitch angry for not having participated in the event.
Dominik Szoboszlai improved greatly from his performance in the shock defeat to Forest
Luis Diaz – 8.5 (MOTM)
Their goals came so quickly that some long-time Anfield regulars wondered whether Robbie Fowler’s fastest ever hat-trick at this stadium was in jeopardy. At a marvellous pace.
Darwin Nunez – 8
A fantastic goal, a standing ovation and a hug from his coach as he left at the end of the match. This will have done wonders for his confidence.
Substitutes
Church (by Diaz, 72) – 6.5
Gakpo (by Nunez, 72) – 6.5
Jones (by Sbozoszlai, 61) – 6
Not used: Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Vítezslav Jaros, Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley.
Arne Slot may not have been impressed by some aspects of his side’s performance, but the Reds have bounced back admirably from defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Manager
Arne’s Slot – 7
Some aspects of their performance did not impress this perfectionist, but two wins in a week since the game at Nottingham Forest were just what was needed. Liverpool were well managed.
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1)
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 5
The absurd decision to run away from his goal allowed Díaz to avoid him and change the game.
Milos Kerkez – 5
The torment he suffered at the hands of Salah was evident in first-half stoppage time, when he felt compelled to bring down the Egyptian.
Dean Huijsen – 5 (Scored)
Too often he found himself with a torrent of red shirts running in his direction and he cannot be held responsible for the beating.
Kepa Arrizabalaga conceded three goals at Anfield after moving from Chelsea to Bournemouth in the summer
The torment Milos Kerkez suffered at the hands of Salah was evident in first-half stoppage time, when he felt compelled to bring down the Egyptian.
The happiest part of Julián Araujo’s afternoon was when Liverpool’s coaching staff decided Díaz had run enough and took him off.
Illia Zabarnyi – 5
He came up against a striker determined to cause chaos and was fighting a losing battle from the moment Nunez got into the mood.
Julian Araujo – 5
The happiest part of his afternoon was when Liverpool’s coaching staff decided Diaz had run enough and took him off.
Ryan Christie – 5 (reserved)
He never laid a glove on Mac Allister or Gravenberch after a brilliant opening and once Bournemouth lost control of the midfield, that was it.
Lewis Cook – 5 (Reserved)
His attitude is always excellent, as it should be as a captain, but Liverpool took his measure and he always came second.
Marcus Tavernier – 6
He didn’t see enough of the ball, but he kept showing his best and his perseverance allowed his team to win several good free kicks.
Justin Kluivert – 6 (Scored)
A flurry of good moments early on, including the meandering run and cross-shot that Semenyo “converted” but needed further assistance.
Antonie Semenyo – 6
There was a lot of life in his performance and if he had timed his fifth-minute run a fraction of a second later, the development of the game would have been significantly different.
Justin Kluivert had a number of good moments early on, including the twisty run and cross-field shot that Semenyo “converted.”
Evanilson – 5
The most disappointing member of Bournemouth’s attack, the only surprise was that he managed to hold on until the 76th minute.
Substitutes
Dango Ouattara (by Kluivert, 46)
Alex Scott (by Christie, 69)
Adam Smith (by Araujo, 70)
Luis Sinisterra (by Semenyo, 70)
Enes Ünal (by Evanilson, 76)
Not used: Marcos Senesi, David Brooks, James Hill and Mark Travers.
Evanilson was the most disappointing member of Bournemouth’s attack, the only surprise being that he managed to stay on until the 76th minute.
Manager
Andoni Iraola – 5
There’s no doubt his team is adventurous and easy on the eyes when everything is working, but everyone in the stadium could see where they were vulnerable and he never addressed it.
Referee
Tony Harrington – 6.5
He was right in everything, nothing caused him any problems; what a joy to be able to play a match without any scrutiny of the referee.
