AFC Bournemouth's first league game of 2024 ended in defeat after Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium.
Second half doubles from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota helped the league leaders move five points clear at the top of the table.
The hosts made a bright start to the game, putting Liverpool under early pressure through a collection of corners.
Chances were limited for both teams in the first half, with the first shot on target of the game coming in the 25th minute, a long-range effort from Nunez which was saved comfortably by Neto
The Cherries had a good chance to take the lead just before the break. Kluivert found himself in a dangerous position and flashed the ball right across the six-yard box, however it somehow managed to evade everyone, much to Iraola’s despair.
The Reds started the second half much brighter than they did the first and found the breakthrough just 4 minutes within the restart. Jota slipped in Nunez with a lovely first-time pass, with the Uruguayan showing the composure to calmy side foot the ball into the bottom right corner.
The visitors grew in confidence after the opener and nearly doubled their lead just minutes later, Conor Bradley disappointed to not mark his first premier league start with a goal after he missed a close-range header.
It wouldn’t take too long for Liverpool to find their second however. In the 70th minute, a duel in the air between Nunez and Zabarnyi saw the ball fall to Cody Gakpo. The Dutchman slid it through to Jota, who unleashed a fierce strike into the bottom right corner, beating Neto at his near post.
The game was wrapped up just 10 minutes later. Conor Bradley got onto the end of an overhit cross, cutting the ball back to Jota. The forward initially miskicked his effort, however, was the fastest player to react to the loose ball and fired it past the helpless Neto into the bottom left.
Bournemouth were dealt yet another injury blow towards the end of the game. Max Aarons pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury in the 86th minute. He was taken off, forcing the hosts to finish with 10 men.
Despite the Liverpool dominance, the cherries had a great chance to pull one back in the 90th minute. David Brooks found himself 1 on 1 with Alisson. The Welshman dinked the ball over the keeper however his effort just creeped past the post.
The last goal of the game came just a few minutes later. Joe Gomez found himself in a bit of space on the right and whipped in a delightful ball to Nunez, who reached and met the cross with a first-time volley, cushioning the ball in off the post in the bottom right corner
Both teams have midweek cup games to look forward next. Bournemouth host Swansea City in the 4th round of the FA Cup on Thursday, whilst Liverpool travel to Fulham on Wednesday for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. Which they lead 2-1