BOURNEMOUTH 0 – 1 LIVERPOOL
Liverpool: Isak 57’
Pre-Match
We’re away to the old stomping grounds of Milos Kerkez and Andoni Iraola on Sunday as we visit Bournemouth for the last match of September before the first international break of the season. Liverpool’s last outing in the league was less than spectacular after they played a 0-0 draw against Fulham, but were able to find some firepower for the midweek against Spurs. Consistency always needs to be the name of the game, and though Liverpool have yet to lose this season (touch
wood), linking some wins together wouldn’t be a bad thing – especially as we look to face City when the break is over. So here’s hoping the lads out at the Vitality today are up for it.
First Half
We get underway in the last sunshine of summer, with a lineup that looks good enough to carry us through the first half of the season. Barcola slips right into the side with his speed, although it appears the fullbacks need a little time to catch up to him. The forever problem of holding possession and not getting into advantageous positions is prevalent though as we continue to carry the ball but not make enough chances. Alisson has been tested more in these opening twenty minutes than the Bournemouth ‘keeper, which is not great, despite our ability to score worldies.
Liverpool finally get in front of the opposition goal in the 26th minute, and Barcola gets into the most promising position, but Mac Allister shoots into the sky and that pretty much exemplifies our first half. Bournemouth have been really frustrating and disruptive, credit to them I guess. Liverpool haven’t been able to quite break them down yet, and we’re maybe a couple minutes away from resorting to long balls over the top – oh look, there’s one from Araujo now. Liverpool finally win a free kick in the Dominik Szoboszlai magic area, but his effort doesn’t quite find the target and we go back to play wanting.
Usually I’m a pretty verbose writer but there truly hasn’t been anything of note to happen in this match. Bournemouth are frustrating and look more likely to score, even as we get into the last minutes of this half. Jacquet has once again been the standout, even as the defense has been tested over and over, and Barcola is working really hard to try and make something happen despite everyone else’s best efforts. The Reds win a corner in the 42nd minute and Szobo takes it but it is defended cleanly and we’re back to turning the screw. We’ve been able to find a more steady foothold in the match as the Cherries have given us a little more space, but the halftime whistle goes with no stoppage time and we break.
Second Half
We’re back in action and despite all of the halftime debates from the commentary teams, Florian Wirtz is still on the pitch, and Szoboszlai gives Bournemouth a free kick early on. The Cherries have conceded a host of late goals this season so far, so there is plenty of time for Liverpool to find a winner and to keep them from responding to take a win from this match. This half has started much slower than the previous, and Bournemouth get a lucky break around the 51st minute, catching a lot of ours off guard, for a cross in to find Ryan Christie but his touch is too much and goes above the goal.
FINALLY WE BREAK THROUGH! ISAK SCORES THE OPENER AND IT IS FINALLY 1-0! Cody Gakpo battles on the wing to win the ball back, sending a peach of a pass in to a waiting Isak in front of goal and Liverpool take the lead! Isak goes over to the away fans and is smothered in a way that is reminiscent of Divock Origi and you know what, I’ll take it. We just need the one needle to get us through for the last half hour of this match, as it looks like the goal has injected some vigor into our lads. Kerkez then goes on a midfield excursion and takes a shot, but its blocked and sent out for a throw in.
We’re past the hour mark and finally get a little bit of momentum at our backs, so changing things might be a little premature, but it is fine margin. Bringing on one speedy signing for another might be the best course of action, with Barcola looking like he’s used up most of his energy already, and Victor Muñoz is on the bench. Isak is looking more and more like his old self in this match too, pushing defenders to find good space and being better about receiving passes, this writer at least is hopeful that he’ll continue to build on this.
Ah yes, there are the changes, as Trey Nyoni comes on for Wirtz, and Muñoz comes on for Barcola in the 71st minute. Bournemouth prepare to make their own changes, and they look a little desperate to find an equalizer as the match goes on, but they make three swaps to find a little more time. Liverpool have looked better in front of goal in these later minutes, breaking up their defense, although the perfect final product isn’t there just yet. We may get a lucky counter as the Cherries are starting to look gassed and we might just beat them on a footrace. Two more changes come in the form of Lewis Koumas for Isak, and Ryan Gravenberch on for Szobo, which looks like we’re going to try and keep that lead instead of building on it, and fair enough. One goal is all it takes to win.
Four minutes of time are added at the end of this half, and Liverpool look more determined than ever to keep that lead and go off with a win.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool did the thing! Two wins in a row! What a way to go into the international break, and to prepare for Manchester City ahead.
