Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool: Player Ratings

Here are our player ratings for Liverpool as the Reds beat Bournemouth 2-1 on the south coast. Onto the next round.

The wind risked playing a more decisive role in this one than any player until Darwin Nunez decided it was his game to take over. The Uruguayan stepped off the bench to score a sensational goal that sent Liverpool through against Bournemouth.

Cody Gakpo had put the Reds up at halftime, scoring from close range after a corner. The Cherries struck back in the second half, though, as the wind caused some chaos in Liverpool's box.

In the end, Liverpool dealt with the wind and the rain well to pick up a win on a difficult night.

Here are our player ratings:

Caoimhin Kelleher - 6

Didn't have to do all that much but the wind was clearly too much for him in the second half. In fact, Joe Gomez saved his blushes from one corner. Hard to be too critical given the conditions, though.

Joe Gomez - 7

Gomez worked hard up and down the right flank all game long. Just a really solid display from the defender.

Joel Matip - 8

Really tough conditions that could easily have caused Matip problems up against pace. He handled everything well and with composure in one of his best performances this season.

Jarell Quansah - 8

For a young, inexperienced player, this was a really good display from Quansah. The weather was atrocious, asking questions all game of him. He answered the lot of them and showed fantastic confidence with the ball, dribbling out despite the wind and rain. Also completed more passes than anyone else in the game - an incredibly promising display.

Kostas Tsimikas - 7

Probably a little quiet but really, we're just grateful Tsimikas got through this one unscathed. Klopp took a risk starting him but it paid off.

Wataru Endo - 5

Endo made some decent tackles but was also dribbled past three times before going off. That was as many times as the rest of Liverpool's starting XI combined. You can cut him some slack because of the weather but Endo will want to do better.

Harvey Elliott - 7

Made a fantastic early pass to put Salah through, only for the Egyptian to be offside (and miss). Created two chances outside of that and helped force Gakpo's goal. A decent evening.

Curtis Jones - 7

Really solid from Jones. Didn't necessarily contribute all that much going forward but kept the ball incredibly well and completed a fantastic 93 per cent of his passes. Helped Liverpool control the game.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 8

A different kind of game for the Hungarian. Played from the right in the first half then switched into the middle for the second. Was much more active in the first where Liverpool played through him for the most part. Would have had an assist if Elliott finished sharper. Much quieter in the second before going off but another promising display.

Mohamed Salah - 6

A really quiet game for Salah by his recent standards. Nothing to really complain about, of course, as he's been on fire lately. Fortunately, Liverpool have players who can step up on his rare off-days.

Cody Gakpo - 8

On hand to score the opener and was tidy whenever he got involved. Probably quieter than you'd ideally like in a game like this but hard to complain after the goal.

Subs

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7

His passing made a difference once he was on. Alexander-Arnold nearly sent Salah through right away and then did find Nunez for the eventual winner.

Alexis Mac Allister - 6

Didn't do all that much once he came on but it wasn't exactly the nicest game to enter in a holding midfield role.

Darwin Nunez - 9

Got to bump that rating up for what was the decisive moment in the game. Lowered their guard with a terrible first touch, then produces unreal quality. What a player.