Arne Slot has definitely done his part of fine-tuning at Anfield. Liverpool are looking sharp, smooth and almost intimidating and it’s only September.After thumping AC Milan at San Siro in the Champions League in midweek, the Reds dominated again on Saturday afternoon at Anfield against Bournemouth to return to the top of the Premier League table for at least one day.A 3-0 win against the Cherries was as routine as it gets, with South American connection – Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez – doing all the necessary work for the hosts. And they did it superbly even before the half-time interval.In the span of just three minutes – between 26th and 28th minute, Diaz netted twice to basically wrap up the tie.🚨🏴 GOAL | Liverpool 1-0 Bournemouth | Luis DiazLUIS DIAZ HAS GIVEN LIVERPOOL THE LEAD !!!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/IXYy4TAN6Q— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) September 21, 2024 Ex-Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made a wrong call, going far out to get the ball before Diaz, but the Colombian forward was fast enough to go past Kepa and slot it perfectly for 1-0.The visitors were knocked down and suffered another heavy punch from the same player almost instantly. It was a remarkable transition, as Trent Alexander-Arnold had all the space and time in the world to run at the visitors’ defence before finding Diaz on the left wing for a simple finish.LUIS DIAZ 2-0Brace in just a minute! Trent assist! pic.twitter.com/RAiRJN9qN8— Viktor Fagerström (@ViktorFagerLFC) September 21, 2024 It all went very wrong very quickly for Bournemouth after a positive start, and it’s no wonder that even Darwin Nunez, who found the back of the net for the last time in early April, managed to get his goalscoring mojo back on track.He ran into the channel with the ball and as he approached the box, he cut inside onto his left foot for a lovely, staggering shot into the far top corner.Darwin Nunez! What a goal!pic.twitter.com/xpmVJZkgSh— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 21, 2024 A sigh of relief could be seen on the man’s face the moment that ball went in.The rest of the game didn’t provide us with any excitement as both sides kept their balance and lines, not risking too much – Liverpool were delighted with the outcome, Bournemouth were worried not to concede again, or to be ‘Bayernized’.The Scousers are at the top of the table, level with Manchester City and Aston Villa with 12 points, although the Cityzens have yet to play their game against Arsenal on Sunday.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 5SaturdayWest Ham – Chelsea 0-3 (0-2)/Jackson 4, 18, Palmer 47/Aston Villa – Wolverhampton 3-1 (0-1)/Watkins 73, Konsa 88, Duran 90+4 – Cunha 25/Fulham – Newcastle 3-1 (2-0)/Jimenez 5, Smith-Rowe 22, Nelson 90+2 – Barnes 46/Leicester – Everton 1-1 (0-1)/Mavididi 73 – Ndiaye 12/Liverpool – Bournemouth 3-0 (3-0)/Diaz 26,28, Nunez 37/Southampton – Ipswich 1-1 (1-0)/Dibling 5 – Morsy 90+5/Tottenham – Brentford 3-1 (2-1)/Solanke 8, Johnson 28, Maddison 85 – Mbeumo 1/19:30: (3.05) Crystal Palace (3.60) Man.Utd. (2.40)Sunday16:00: (1.80) Brighton (3.60) Nott.Forest (4.60)18:30: (1.85) Man.City (3.60) Arsenal (4.80)***odds are subject to change***
