Liverpool goes top of table, Diaz scores a brace as Reds earn a 3-0 win over Bournemouth

LONDON: Luis Diaz scored twice in two first-half minutes as Liverpool returned to winning ways in the Premier League with an emphatic victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s team, beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest last weekend, thought it had fallen behind after only five minutes when Antoine Semenyo turned in Justin Kluivert’s cross, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside by the video assistant referee.

The Reds responded in ruthless fashion, going close through Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez before Diaz rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga and slid the ball into an empty net to open the scoring.

The Colombian struck again moments later to double the host’s lead, collecting Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass and firing through Kepa’s legs from close range.

Nunez, making his first Premier League start since April, made it 3-0 with a tremendous, curling drive - his first top-flight goal since a 3-1 home win over Sheffield United over five months ago.

Summer signing Federico Chiesa enjoyed a lively cameo on his Premier League debut, sending a long-range effort straight into Kepa’s arms before striking the woodwork late on - albeit from an offside position.

Bournemouth was also denied by the crossbar in the latter stages as Andoni Iraola’s team slipped to a second successive league defeat.

The win lifts Liverpool top of the Premier League before Sunday’s game between last season’s top two Manchester City and Arsenal.

Saturday’s victory - and the manner of it - rounds off a near-perfect week for Slot, who will be delighted with his team’s response to the frustrating defeat by Forest last weekend.

The Reds, victors against AC Milan in the Champions League in midweek, were given an early scare but could have taken the lead before Diaz eventually opened the scoring in the 26th minute.

The Colombian had a vicious drive tipped over the crossbar by Kepa, who was also equal to efforts by Salah and Nunez as the home side cut Bournemouth open at will.

But the on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper was caught badly out of position for Liverpool’s opener, allowing Diaz to confidently slot home after taking Ibrahima Konate’s pass in his stride.

It was 3-0 only 11 minutes later as Diaz struck his fifth league goal of the season before Nunez opened his account in spectacular fashion.

At that stage, the home fans could have been forgiven for daydreaming about Liverpool’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth in August 2022, but the second half proved to be a less eventful affair.

A debut Chiesa goal would have been the icing on the cake for the host, but there was plenty of promise in the Italy international’s second-half appearance as he linked up well with Salah and Gakpo.

Liverpool has now won 10 of the past 11 meetings with Bournemouth in the top flight, the exception being a 1-0 away defeat in March 2023.