Liverpool prolonged their lead on the high of the Premier League as they claimed a 2-0 win ver Bournemouth on the south coast.
Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Premier League (21), Vitality StadiumJanuary 21, 2024
Objectives: Nunez (49′, 90+3′), Jota (70′, 79′)
Mac Allister places on midfield masterclass
After Liverpool failed so as to add a big-money holding midfielder to their squad final summer season, you might need thought that this January window would have been outlined by calls to signal one.
However that there was no such clamour owes a lot to the truth that Alexis Mac Allister is more and more taking a look at house in a job so many declared he couldn’t play.
The Argentine confirmed as a lot right here, placing on considered one of his finest performances in a Liverpool shirt to assist his group management what ought to have been a tough away recreation.
An 87% passing accuracy, 11 passes into the ultimate third, and 4 possibilities created are testomony to the standard on the ball Mac Allister confirmed.
No Liverpool participant has made extra tackles in a Premier League recreation within the final eight seasons than Alexis Mac Allister towards Bournemouth (9).
He additionally gained possession 15 occasions and gained 14 duels. ? pic.twitter.com/YgDVORq4Lv
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 21, 2024
However he additionally evidenced an underrated facet of his recreation in profitable 12/17 duels and recovering the ball a outstanding 15 occasions.
“So long as you’ll be able to present a compact formation, Macca is an excellent six,” praised Klopp post-match.
He actually does have every part required to thrive as a No.6.
Konate and Van Dijk are league’s finest pair
In fact, as a lot as Liverpool managed issues within the center, there have been nonetheless moments when Bournemouth had been in a position to threaten their field.
Nonetheless, Andoni Iraola’s males solely discovered themselves operating into the brick wall that’s Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who may effectively be the Premier League‘s finest defensive pairing on this second.
Right here, Van Dijk made 5 blocks and 4 clearances, whereas Konate gained a powerful eight out of his 10 aerial duels and 4 out of 5 on the bottom as Bournemouth had been constantly repelled.
If Jurgen Klopp can hold this pair constantly harm free, then Liverpool have each likelihood of preserving their outstanding current type going.
Nunez will get much-needed confidence enhance
Liverpool followers have been solely proper to level out that, throughout a current barren run in entrance of objective, Darwin Nunez has nonetheless been a web optimistic for the group.
Not solely has the Uruguayan been racking up assists, he has additionally pressed and made issues occur along with his runs in behind and hold-up play.
“Shit Andy Carroll” ? https://t.co/zGwuKTsmUj
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) January 21, 2024
Nonetheless, a return of 1 objective in 16 appearances isn’t ok for a participant of this high quality, notably when it’s a results of lacking possibilities.
With that in thoughts, the hope can be that this brilliantly taken brace can present a confidence enhance for Nunez that ushers in a purple patch in entrance of objective.
His tenth objective of the season had the Liverpool followers singing ‘S**t Andy Carroll’ satirically.
Conor Bradley continues to shine
It can’t be talked about sufficient that Liverpool have misplaced a world-class right-back in Trent Alexander-Arnold to harm and have merely plucked a more-than-capable substitute from their academy in Conor Bradley.
The Northern Irishman was vastly spectacular once more right here, profitable six duels, clocking up 9 defensive actions, and setting Diogo Jota up for a objective.
However greater than the numbers, he merely regarded extremely comfy taking part in at Premier League degree regardless of the very fact he’s a 20-year-old making his debut within the top-flight.
That’s testomony to the unbelievable work executed by the academy throughout what’s lining as much as be a golden period of expertise manufacturing, and naturally the participant’s personal high quality and temperament.
Reds fail to get VAR rub of inexperienced
In per week that has seen Nottingham Forest write to the PGMOL a couple of referee’s spray, it might be truthful to say that the discourse round officers is getting out of hand.
However that doesn’t imply Liverpool can’t really feel aggrieved that they didn’t get the rub of the inexperienced by way of choices on this win.
Consistency is rarely prone to be discovered when human beings are concerned, however it’s obscure why Justin Kluivert’s problem on Luis Diaz wasn’t thought of sufficiently unhealthy to deliver the referee to display screen whenever you see what Curtis Jones was despatched off for at Tottenham.
And what purpose may presumably be given for a transparent journey on Diogo Jota on the road of the field (and subsequently within the space) not ensuing within the award of a penalty?
Happily for the Reds, these calls finally didn’t matter, however we’ve already seen sufficient cases this season the place the result of the sport has been affected.
Klopp will solely hope that every one his group’s unhealthy luck by way of choices has been used up throughout this routine win.
