Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool: Player Ratings

A stellar second-half performance propelled Liverpool to a comfortable 4-0 win over Bournemouth in Sunday's late-afternoon kick-off.

Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez both bagged impressive braces as the Reds extended their lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League to five points.

Liverpool were put under the cosh in the early stages of the game, with Bournemouth keen to start the game quickly to potentially catch the visitors napping.

The Reds held off the early Cherries press and were allowed to grow into the game, enjoying much of the ball for the remainder of the first half.

However, only speculative efforts provided any sort of test for Neto in the Bournemouth goal, with Liverpool unable to capitalise on their dominance before the break.

That said, Liverpool took little time to kick into gear after the restart and found an opener in the 49th minute, with Nunez slotting home to finish off a wonderful team goal.

Jota gave Jurgen Klopp's side breathing space 20 minutes from time, clinically firing into the near post after being played in by Cody Gakpo to double their lead.

A second from Jota on the 80-minute mark was followed up an injury-time strike from Nunez, sealing the points for the Reds at the Vitality Stadium.

Here are the player ratings from the contest.

ALISSON (GK): 6

Couple parried saves early on as Bournemouth threatened but nothing more than routine. Misplaced a risky pass to Mac Allister which put Liverpool in a vulnerable position, needed Van Dijk to clean up. Couple more iffy moments but on the whole, did what he needed to do.

CONOR BRADLEY (RB): 7

Proved a threat to Bournemouth by putting in a few great deliveries, including one that just evaded the head of Konate with the score goalless. Could have had a debut goal as he latched onto a dinked Nunez cross, only to misjudge the header. Then had a shot from the resulting corner well saved. Defensively decent, always wanting to get stuck in the challenge - although a bit too much enthusiasm saw in one tussle saw him get booked. Subbed.

IBRAHIMA KONATE (CB): 7

Helped hold off the early Bournemouth press, putting in an important couple of interventions in the box. Couple of shaky moments but teammates able to come to his aid. Massive challenge to deny Dominic Solanke a clear shot on goal in the second half. Consistently dominant in the air, as per.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK (CB): 8

Cleaned up after misplaced Alisson pass put Liverpool under pressure, then put in a vital block when Konate misjudged a bouncing ball. Threatened down the other end from corners. Dependable.

JOE GOMEZ (LB): 7

Once again increasingly involved going forward as he continues his search for a first career. Lucky to escape first-half booking for a late challenge on Max Aarons. Assisted Nunez for Liverpool's fourth.

ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER (CM): 8

Composed and dribbled his way out of testing positions with ease, while also showcasing his immense passing range. Enjoyed driving towards Bournemouth box and saw shot from range fizz past the post. Always fighting to win the ball, pressing in Bournemouth's final third.

HARVEY ELLIOTT (CM): 7

Full of energy and won the ball back a few times in Bournemouth's final third, sparking chances at Neto's goal. Drifted off a bit after the break and subbed.

CURTIS JONES (CM): 6

Linked up nicely with Elliott a few times but was the less involved of the two in the first half. Played his part in the opener as he slid the ball to Jota, who set up Nunez to score. Subbed.

LUIS DIAZ (RW): 6

Grew into the game, latching on to a few searching balls from Liverpool's own half. Tame effort from outside of the box rolled into Neto's grasp. Clamped by Justin Kluivert, a challenge worthy of a red card but somehow just got waved away. Subbed.

DIOGO JOTA (ST): 9

Had a quiet opening first 45, with the only real contribution being a cross that went just behind Nunez with the score goalless. Really turned on after the break, though, slipping through Nunez to set up the opener four minutes following the restart. Then got onto the scoresheet not once but twice to seal the points, firing in two clinical finishes past Neto. A game of two halves. Subbed in injury time.

DARWIN NUNEZ (LW): 8

Main source of attacking impetus in the early stages of the game where Liverpool were struggling to provide much threat going forward. Started properly firing after the break, finishing a wonderful team goal to break the deadlock early in the second half. Proved a nuisance to beat the Bournemouth defender to a bouncing ball in the build up to Liverpool's second, then capped off the evening with his second goal of the game in injury time, latching on to a Gomez cross to stab home.

SUBSTITUTES:

RYAN GRAVENBERCH (ELLIOTT, 65'): 6

Quick feet proved useful as Liverpool sought to extend their lead.

CODY GAKPO (DIAZ, 65'): 7

Played in Diogo Jota to set up the second. Added a new dimension to the attack as Bournemouth began to tire.

OWEN BECK (BRADLEY, 84'): 6

Helped see out the win at left-back.

BOBBY CLARK (JONES, 84'): 6

More Premier League experience.

KAIDE GORDON (JOTA, 90'): N/A

Good to see Kaide.