Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points as an impressive second-half display overpowered Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
In difficult conditions with the onset of Storm Isha, an even first half gave way to another show of Liverpool’s attacking strength as two goals apiece from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota sealed a deserved three points.
Jurgen Klopp’s men hold that lead over Manchester City, Arsenal, and Aston Villa, although Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions have a game in hand.
Both sides struggled to create anything worthwhile in the first half, but Nunez broke the deadlock four minutes after the break with a composed right-foot finish from Jota’s pass.
Nunez was then involved in the build-up to Liverpool’s second with 20 minutes left, battling to win possession for Cody Gakpo to release Jota, who beat Neto at his near post.
Jota got his second when he initially miscontrolled but then recovered his poise to send a low shot beyond the Bournemouth keeper.
Uruguay forward Nunez added the fourth in stoppage time, diverting Joe Gomez’s cross.
Liverpool make light of Salah absence
Mohamed Salah’s presence with the Egypt squad at the Africa Cup of Nations raised the usual questions about how Liverpool would cope without their talismanic superstar.
The answer so far has been a highly impressive one, with victory at Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round, an EFL Cup semi-final first-leg win against Fulham, and now a stroll to three points here on a stormy south coast.
Nunez and Jota came to the party once again with two goals each, proving what weaponry Klopp has at his disposal even without Salah. Both showed the quality required here to compensate for the fact the Premier League’s joint-leading scorer was missing.
This was also a Liverpool side without several other high-profile players, including the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Japan midfielder Wataru Endo also away at the Asian Cup.
The cruise to victory was helped by an outstanding performance from Argentina World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. Controlled and classy, he was always able to bring order even though some of the play around him was scrappy.
The visitors made a sluggish start after enjoying a short break away, but once they moved through the gears in the second half Bournemouth were unable to stop their attacking force.
And, as Liverpool go into Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final second leg at Fulham with a 2-1 advantage, what many felt would be a transitional season now shapes up into something special.
Solanke quiet as Bournemouth have no answer
Bournemouth’s recent fine form gave rise to hopes they might be able to shock the leaders but, after a first half when neither side had an edge, the Cherries ended up outclassed.
Striker Dominic Solanke, with 12 goals this season and having won the Premier League Player of the Month award as reward for his outstanding campaign so far, was Bournemouth’s big hope but he barely had a chance and was substituted late on.
This was no reflection on Solanke, who demonstrated a tireless work ethic against his former club.
Yet it was more an illustration of how Liverpool, with captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in control at the back, simply never gave the hosts any clear opportunities until the game was won.
The Cherries finished the game with 10 men after defender Max Aarons limped off with a hamstring injury.
“Probably the worst thing today is that we are going to lose Aarons,” said Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola after the match. “He was the only proper full-back we had at 100 per cent.”
Bournemouth will have much better days than this, while it should also be remembered they were up against a Liverpool side that has been formidable this season, having lost only one game in highly contentious circumstances at Tottenham.
The way they competed in the first half showed their development under manager Iraola, who has been putting his stamp on Bournemouth after a shaky start to his reign.
There was no shame in the loss – they were simply well beaten by a better side and have to move on.