Andoni Iraola’s return to the Vitality Stadium saw Liverpool take three points from his former club, as Alexander Isak’s goal and Alisson Becker’s goalkeeping were enough to secure a 1-0 win on Sunday.
Alisson made key interventions in both halves, his early work key as the Reds started slow against their hosts.
MORE — Andoni Iraola reacts to win
Isak scored his fourth goal in five Premier League outings this season after good work from Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz to create havoc from the right side.
That was pretty much it as Iraola’s new side and system clashed with Marco Rose’s evolution of what was build by Iraola over three impressive seasons at Bournemouth.
Liverpool held 54% of the ball and out-attempted Bournemouth 12-9 but had to deal with an aggressive Cherries who were always one kick away from changing the game.
The Reds reach the international break in sixth place with nine points, below Brentford and Leeds on tiebreakers and ahead of Everton.
Bournemouth remain winless with two draws through five matches, out of the bottom three on tiebreakers.
Iraola’s midfield work will determine Liverpool’s fate
Alisson Becker remains a star in goal, and Jeremy Jacquet looks like a potential superstar learning next to Virgil van Dijk. Ronald Araujo is built for the Premier League on the right side of the back line, and you’d estimate that almost all of their attackers will come good.
Now about the midfield....
Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai are all world-class players as is Ryan Gravenberch. But playing Wirtz in the midfield almost requires two steady defensively-focused midfielders behind him and that takes Mac Allister and Szoboszlai out of their best games. Gravenberch is good but he looks a bit weary after being run ragged last season. If Iraola can’t figure out a rotation here, Liverpool are in danger of having to work 90 minutes against teams they should beat by 2, 3 goals, and that feels likely to stop them short of their season goals.
These are a big three weeks for him as he plans for Man City, Brentford, and Brighton.
What’s next?
A three-week international break means quite a wait for the next matches.
Bournemouth head to Chelsea on October 11 for a 10am ET kickoff, then host Austria’s Sturm Graz on October 14.
Liverpool return with Man City at Anfield on October 11, followed by a trip to Austria to meet LASK Linz in the Champions League.
Bournemouth vs Liverpool final score: 0-1
Alexander Isak 58'
Liverpool’s manager is offering thoughts on Jeremy Jacquet, Cody Gakpo, and Florian Wirtz after the 1-0 win.
Here’s how he felt on the whole. Read more at this link.
“I’m always happy with the result because I know this is a very difficult place to get three points. You could see in the first part of the game we weren’t at the level and it cost us. The beginning of the game, not surprised us but it was difficult for us.”
On the game: “It was a massive win, very hard-fought, difficult game, difficult place to play.”
“I feel good. Obviously difficult game today. I didn’t play at my best, some easy mistakes but happy to score the goal and get us the win. Good feeling.”
Are you back to your best? “I definitely feel good and we are still unbeaten. We still have a long way to go to reach out best as a team. As we get better as a team, I will have the chance to do even better. Happy where I’m at but always striving for more.”
On Gakpo: “Cody’s been brilliant. You can take the assists and points away and in-game he contributes so much in possession, winning duels, it’s been brilliant.”
On Alisson: “We are not shocked really. We all know he’s world class and we are really lucky to have him.”
Virgil van Dijk reaction
On Jacquet: “Listen he showed a lot of good things so far this season. He’s still so young, has a lot to learn, a lot to give. Let’s all stay calm. He’s had a very good season so let’s keep it going.”
On Gakpo and the attack: “It’s very important for players up front to get goals, Alex of course but everyone’s contributing. Flo had a big part in the goal. Good win, clean sheet, go to international break and then we are going to brace ourselves for a very intense period.”
Jeremy Jacquet reactio
“It’s a big moment for me to play with Virgil in the game. I can now develop with him.”
“I’m very happy. I play with a lot of very good players so I’m just enjoying it.”
Lewis Cook, David Brooks, and Daniel Jebbison replaced Smith, Tavernier, and Christie, and Bournemouth’s first five minutes with the new set-up put a scare into Liverpool.
The Reds punched back for a moment, and have brought in Ryan Gravenberch and Lewis Koumas for Szoboszlai and the goal scorer Isak. Intriguing.
Now Bournemouth remove Adams and Rayan for Alex Toth and Ben Gannon-Doak.
Reds lead 1-0 into the 89th minute. Cannot be too much stoppage time ahead, you’d think.
Two subs for Iraola, as Trey Nyoni will take the place of Florian Wirtz in the 72nd minute.
Victor Munoz also enters the fray in place of Bradley Barcola.
Mac Allister loses the ball to Ryan Christie, who quickly gets it to the Tyler Adams.
The American slips it to Evanilson, who cannot get enough on his shot to beat a well-read Alisson.
Three of the front four play a part in this one, as Liverpool take the lead in the 58th minute.
Cody Gakpo is terrific on the right side, fast and physical, and his cross is tipped by Florian Wirtz onto the path of Alexander Isak.
The Swede is now tied with Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race with four goals this young season.
There’s some of that danger we were requesting from the game.
Ryan Christie releases Rayan on the right, and there’s a cutback available.
Rayan instead drives the right side and slams a cross into the mix. Christie can only clip it wide of the near post.
Better, though.
0-0, 54'.
Iraola must sort out a way to control the ball in the midfield. The front four can only succeed with better service and more comfort in possession, but they’re needed right now too far away from goal.
Tyler Adams and Alex Scott are standing out from the pack. Ronald Araujo is a bright spot for the Reds. Alisson’s save on Evanilson is probably the most interesting moment of the match.
Let’s hope for something special to open up this one.
Liverpool find it with their front four.
Bradley Barcola is denied by a stretching leg from Djordje Petrovic.
A bid at the rebound is blocked, and eventually the Reds win another free kick.
It’s central again but just off to the right and a bit further back. Szoboszlai misses the same post but it’s much closer to the target.
0-0, 35'.
Bournemouth are edging the game so far, with more time in the dangerous areas though it’s also less threatening than it is probing.
A lot of it seems to be Bournemouth’s familiar players adapting to Rose’s system, which is a lot easier than Liverpool’s players learning their entirely new one.
Really, it’s something we should’ve predicted before the game. Bournemouth know what Iraola wants to do, while Liverpool are still sorting that out. It’s a bad combo for the visitors.
Tavernier tears around the left corner and slots a cutback pass toward the near post.
A deft redirection from Evanilson, who has a step on Virgil van Dijk, is cutely cut to the near post and Alisson has to do well to recognize the offspeed hit and palm it away from the goal.
0-0, 19'
Florian Wirtz is dropped about 4-5 yards outside the arc, almost central, and this is Dominik Szoboszlai territory.
Liverpool have been a bit loose with their passes and decision-making, but the energy is definitely there.
The Hungarian bends his shot too much and it swings away from the upper 90 and out for a goal kick.
0-0, 10'.
Liverpool wearing white tops and socks with red shorts, while Bournemouth are in their standard black-and-red striped get-up.
Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise but it is: Bournemouth has really struggled against Liverpool.
When Iraola was leading the side, they lost six of seven matches and won just once.
The Cherries were outscored 18-4 against Liverpool under Iraola until they won 3-2 in this venue last year.
Let’s see if Marco Rose can duplicate that feat and put a little heat under Iraola’s seat.
Bournemouth XI
Petrovic
Truffert
Smith
Silva
Hill
Scott
Adams
Christie
Tavernier
Rayan
Evanilson
Subs: Di Gregorio, Cook, Soler, Brooks, Gannon-Doak, Diakite, Toth, Jebbison, Juanlu Sanchez
Liverpool XI
Alisson
Kerkez
Van Dijk
Jacquet
Araujo
Mac Allister
Szoboszlai
Gakpo
Wirtz
Barcola
Isak
Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Tsimikas, Munoz, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Koumas, Ngumoha
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (September 20)
Venue: Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth, Dorset
TV Channel: USA
Stream link: Watch on USA
