Liverpool Edge Bournemouth as Isak Strikes and Jacquet Shines

Alexander Isak scored the winning goal as Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium on Andoni Iraola's return. Jeremy Jacquet earned an 8/10 rating for a composed defensive display, while Alisson's saves secured a crucial clean sheet for the visitors.

  • Competition: Premier League
  • Venue: Vitality Stadium
  • Result: Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
  • Winner: Alexander Isak
  • Star man: Jeremy Jacquet (8/10)
  • Context: Andoni Iraola's return to the Vitality Stadium

Confirmed line-ups

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Djordje Petrovic; Adam Smith, Antonio Silva, James Hill, Adrien Truffert; Tyler Adams, Alex Scott; Rayan, Ryan Christie, Marcus Tavernier; Evanilson.

Substitutes: Cook, Brooks, Jebbison, Gannon-Doak, Toth. Not used: Di Gregorio, Soler, Gannon-Doak, Diakite, Sanchez.

Liverpool (4-3-3)

Starting XI: Alisson; Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz; Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo.

Substitutes: Munoz, Nyoni, Gravenberch, Koumas. Not used: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Ngumoha.

Selection notes

Liverpool made three changes from their goalless draw at Fulham, with Milos Kerkez among those coming in. Bournemouth started without Justin Kluivert, with Ryan Christie taking his place. Adrien Truffert and Tyler Adams were both beaten in the build-up to the goal, while James Hill and Antonio Silva kept Isak quiet until his breakthrough. Gannon-Doak was listed among the substitutes but also appeared in the 'not used' list in the source data.

Player ratings

Bournemouth

Djordje Petrovic (6): Quiet first half but made a good save with his feet to keep out Bradley Barcola. No chance of stopping Isak's goal.

Adam Smith (6): Good shift on his 431st appearance for Bournemouth. Largely nullified Barcola's threat.

Antonio Silva (6): Settling into life in the Premier League, and this was another impressive display from the Portuguese centre-back.

James Hill (6): Solid on his 50th Premier League appearance and, like Silva, kept Alexander Isak quiet until the Liverpool forward found himself in space to break the deadlock.

Adrien Truffert (5): Good battle with Cody Gakpo but was sloppy in possession and was ultimately beaten by the Dutchman just before Liverpool's goal.

Tyler Adams (5): A decent display but will look back at Isak's goal and wonder if he should have done better defensively.

Alex Scott (6): Such a tidy player, especially in possession, and can now look forward to joining England on international duty.

Rayan (6): Scored in midweek and was good to watch whenever he had the ball but didn't get on it enough. Great ball to Ryan Christie after Liverpool scored.

Ryan Christie (6): Started in the absence of Justin Kluivert. Got into some good positions but failed to convert.

Marcus Tavernier (6): Threatened going forward and nearly got an assist when he put in a good cross for Evanilson.

Evanilson (6): Caused problems and had a first-half flick saved by Alisson and another effort denied after the break.

Subs: Cook (5), Brooks (5), Jebbison (5). Gannon-Doak and Toth came on but received no rating. Not used: Di Gregorio, Soler, Gannon-Doak, Diakite, Sanchez.

Liverpool

Alisson (7): Made a great reaction save to deny Evanilson and was authoritative throughout. Integral to a crucial Liverpool clean sheet.

Ronald Araujo (6): Looks comfortable defensively at right-back and has had a solid start to life at Liverpool, but didn't do much going forward.

Jeremy Jacquet (8): Another composed display. Made a naive challenge early on to foul Evanilson but responded well and made some great tackles. Good in possession too. Can look forward to joining up with France.

Virgil van Dijk (7): Solid again. Ensured Liverpool weren't punished for a poor first half in attack and continues to be one of their most reliable players.

Milos Kerkez (6): One of three Liverpool changes from their goalless draw at Fulham. Struggled initially and was regularly targeted with the crossfield ball over his head but can't fault him for his effort. Battled throughout.

Alexis Mac Allister (6): Did well to find space in midfield to open the game up after a slow start. Has had a positive start to life under Andoni Iraola.

Dominik Szoboszlai (6): Played with a real purpose. Had a free-kick that went just wide in the first half and was booked just after half-time but a typical Szoboszlai performance - bar a goal from outside the box.

Cody Gakpo (7): Started down the right flank and it was his quality that helped make Isak's goal as he charged down the right and put in a dangerous ball that was ultimately converted by Isak.

Florian Wirtz (5): Another day when the German struggled, though he deserves credit for playing a part in the goal. His attempt was blocked by Hill and fell into the path of Isak. Has to do more.

Bradley Barcola (6): Threatened in phases with a deflected shot saved in the first half. It's still early days but Liverpool want more from their marquee summer signing.

Alexander Isak (7): Had such a poor game initially with a wayward effort and cross that ballooned into the stands but, like a true striker, he was in the right place at the right time and made no mistake with his finish. Already scored more Premier League goals than he did last season.

Subs: Munoz (5), Nyoni (5). Gravenberch and Koumas came on but received no rating. Not used: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Ngumoha.

What was said

No direct quotes were included in the source article.

The numbers

  • 431: Adam Smith's appearance count for Bournemouth.
  • 50: James Hill's Premier League appearances.
  • 3: Liverpool changes from the draw at Fulham.
  • 8/10: Jeremy Jacquet's rating, the highest on the pitch.
  • 7/10: Ratings for Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, and Alexander Isak.
  • 5/10: Lowest ratings for Adrien Truffert, Tyler Adams, Florian Wirtz, and substitutes Cook, Brooks, Jebbison, Munoz, Nyoni.

Why Jacquet's composure mattered more than Isak's finish

Liverpool's first half was poor in attack, as evidenced by Isak's wayward effort and cross that ballooned into the stands. But Jeremy Jacquet ensured Bournemouth could not capitalise. The young defender made a naive challenge early on to foul Evanilson but responded with great tackles and composure in possession. His 8/10 rating reflects a maturity beyond his years, and his partnership with Virgil van Dijk kept the hosts at bay.

The goal, when it came, was created by Cody Gakpo's charge down the right and dangerous ball, converted by Alexander Isak. It was a classic striker's finish from a player who had struggled up to that point. Isak has now scored more Premier League goals than he did last season, a testament to his resilience.

Bournemouth will rue their missed chances. Evanilson forced a save from Alisson in the first half and another after the break, while Marcus Tavernier's cross nearly provided an assist. Ryan Christie, starting in place of the absent Justin Kluivert, got into good positions but failed to convert. The hosts matched Liverpool for long spells but lacked the cutting edge that Isak provided.

Talking points

  • Should Florian Wirtz be dropped after another 5/10 display? Liverpool's marquee summer signing Bradley Barcola also struggled, raising questions about their adaptation.
  • Jeremy Jacquet's 8/10 suggests he deserves a regular starting spot. Is he now ahead of Ronald Araujo in the pecking order?
  • Bournemouth's failure to convert chances cost them. Was Ryan Christie the right choice to replace Justin Kluivert, or should Andoni Iraola have started with a more direct option?
  • Andoni Iraola's return ended in defeat, but his Bournemouth side showed promise. Can they build on this performance against lesser opposition?

What happens next

Liverpool will look to build on this win when they return to action after the international break. Bournemouth, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back and convert their chances in their next Premier League fixture. The result leaves Liverpool with a crucial three points as they chase the title, while Bournemouth remain in mid-table.

Frequently asked questions

Who scored the winner in Bournemouth vs Liverpool?

Alexander Isak scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0.

Who was the highest-rated player in Bournemouth vs Liverpool?

Jeremy Jacquet received an 8/10 rating, the highest of any player on the pitch.

Did Alisson keep a clean sheet against Bournemouth?

Yes, Alisson made a great reaction save to deny Evanilson and kept a clean sheet in Liverpool's 1-0 win.

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