Liverpool managed to overcome Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half red card and secured a 3-1 victory against Bournemouth, allowing their season to get on track.
Although Antoine Semenyo had initially given Bournemouth a surprise lead just three minutes into the match, Jurgen Klopp’s team regained their momentum.
Goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a first-half advantage.
Despite the potential complications after Alexis Mac Allister’s red card in his Anfield debut, Liverpool seemed to elevate their performance with 10 players.
Diogo Jota capitalized on a goalkeeping error from Neto to extend Liverpool’s lead to 3-1. Klopp also managed to introduce new signing Wataru Endo from the bench, who was acquired in a £16.2 million deal.
First-half performance:
Bournemouth took an early lead in the third minute when Antoine Semenyo capitalized on a poor giveaway in Liverpool’s half.
The Reds came close to equalizing in the 5th minute from a corner, but Virgil van Dijk’s header hit the crossbar. The Reds then had another sloppy moment, leading to Alisson receiving a yellow card.
However, Liverpool regrouped and improved their play, launching a barrage of shots. Players like Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Cody Gakpo narrowly missed scoring.
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The breakthrough occurred in the 28th minute when Jota delivered a cross into the box, and Luis Diaz scored with a stunning overhead flick to level the score.
Superb improvisation from @LuisFDiaz19 to bring us level 💪 pic.twitter.com/5e4336EZ6W
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 19, 2023
Liverpool continued to apply pressure, and Dominik Szoboszlai made a run into the box and was fouled, earning them a penalty.
Although Mohamed Salah’s initial penalty was saved, he pounced on the rebound, securing Liverpool’s 2-1 lead in the 36th minute.
The Reds had a couple of corner opportunities in stoppage time of the first half but failed to capitalize on them.
Second-half performance:
In the second half, Liverpool earned several corners, including one early on and another in the 50th minute.
However, they couldn’t make the most of their opportunities, with Jota missing an open net. Gakpo had a couple of shots blocked, and Liverpool won their 10th corner of the match in the 55th minute.
The game took a dramatic turn in the 58th minute when Mac Allister received a red card for a dangerous challenge. Surprisingly, Liverpool responded positively despite being a man down.
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Dominik Szoboszlai forced a save in the 62nd minute, and the rebound fell to Jota, who scored from close range, giving Liverpool a 3-1 lead.
A classic poacher’s finish from @DiogoJota18 to increase our lead 👏 pic.twitter.com/fLycPrw5Ga
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 19, 2023
Jota had another chance in the 67th minute, but the goalkeeper made the save. Mohamed Salah had a shot in the 82nd minute, and Alisson came up with an important save in the 84th minute.
Phillip Billing had a free-kick opportunity that went high at the dying stages of the game, and goalkeeper Alisson had to make two saves in stoppage time to secure the comfortable victory for the Reds.
