Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - September 21, 2024 Liverpool's Luis Diaz scores their second goal REUTERS/Peter Powell
LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -A quick-fire double from Luis Diaz set Liverpool on course for a comprehensive 3-0 Premier League home win against Bournemouth on Saturday as the Reds bounced back from last week's embarrassing 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
Diaz was electric in the first half, papering over Liverpool's defensive frailties with a brilliant attacking display from the left wing that overpowered the visitors, with the game effectively over as a contest by halftime.
Arne Slot's side had the VAR to thank for chalking off an early Bournemouth goal from Antoine Semneyo due to offside, with the groans of the home fans who feared another shock defeat turning to whoops of joy as the goal was overturned.
Diaz then went to work, forcing keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga into a fine save in the eighth minute, and he threatened several more times before finally beating Kepa to a long ball and rattling it home in the 26th minute.
Less than three minutes later Diaz had his second goal as Bournemouth were sliced open by a five-on-four break, the Colombian using his left foot to drive the ball between the legs of the advancing Kepa for his fifth goal in five league games.
Darwin Nunez then added a brilliant third, attacking down the right and slowing down before suddenly accelerating again to cut inside and curl home a left-foot shot to make it 3-0.
With the game out of the visitors' reach, there was little of note in the second half save for the Premier League debut of Liverpool's Enrico Chiesa, who came off the bench and provided a glimpse of the talent that prompted the Merseysiders to pay Juventus a reputed 10 million pounds ($13.32 million) for him.
Despite their offensive dominance, Liverpool still looked occasionally vulnerable at the back and keeper Caoimhin Kelleher had to claw away the ball after it hit the bar from a late corner, but Bournemouth could not find a way back into the game and the hosts ran out easy winners.
"Obviously last week, it was disappointing but we managed to bounce back Tuesday (with a win against AC Milan in the Champions League) -- it was about getting back on track in the league," Liverpool defender Andy Robertson told the BBC, adding that he was delighted to see Nunez get his first league goal of the season.
"Darwin has had to be patient. He has worked hard in training, trying to get better, like we all have... he has waited for his chance, and today he was excellent," Robertson said.
($1 = 0.7507 pounds)
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; editing by Clare Fallon)
