Crisis? What crisis?! Rumours of Liverpool’s demise have been greatly exaggerated as the Reds kick-started their campaign at the fourth time of asking. Storming to a record-breaking 9-0 victory over newly-promoted Bournemouth, delivering the sort of win Jurgen Klopp’s have often failed to land in contrast to title-rivals Man City, they silenced their doubters in the most emphatic of manners.
Stung by Monday night’s dismal defeat to Manchester United, some form of response was inevitable at Anfield. It had to be, but with club owner John W. Henry watching on at Anfield, this was the perfect showing for Liverpool.
A routine win would have provided points on the board but after their start to the season, they needed to send out a statement. Consider it sent, then, the perfect tonic to ease the ever-growing Reds nerves formed during the opening weeks of the campaign.
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Of course there are a number of reasons behind Liverpool’s slow start to the season, namely their hefty injury list. But while Klopp hoped that he could welcome back some of his walking wounded before too much longer, the Reds were forced to again operate with one arm tied behind their backs as they took on Scott Parker’s outfit.
In his pre-match press conference, Klopp confirmed a change of stance from Liverpool ahead of the transfer window closing next Thursday, admitting he was wrong not to sign a midfielder and will look to strengthen his engine room, if possible, in the next few days.
Henry’s presence at Anfield, alongside wife Linda Pizzuti, was not lost on supporters as a result. The American watched on pitchside as the Reds warmed up, no doubt wondering what had gone wrong for the side that were on the verge of an unprecedented quadruple just three months earlier.
Yet, after taking his seat in the directors’ box, within six minutes of kick-off he could perhaps be forgiven if he wondered what on earth all the fuss was about.
A recurring theme in this unconvincing period from Liverpool is the regularity in which they have conceded the first goal. It’s happened nine times from their last 11 outings, with the last time they avoided such an occurrence coming away at Newcastle United back in April.
Fortunately they didn’t even give Bournemouth a whiff of extending such a run as Luis Diaz scored with a fine looping header from Roberto Firmino’s cross inside just three minutes.
Three minutes later and the forward was involved again as his lay-off to Harvey Elliott on the edge of the box saw the midfielder beat goalkeeper Mark Travers with an unstoppable curling effort. Considering the criticism Firmino has faced in recent months, and after his own showing at Old Trafford, with his future still up in the air ahead of his contract expiring next summer, he was a man on a mission.
Diaz had the ball in the back of the net again in the eighth minute, only for it to be rightly ruled out for offside, before Anfield stood to applaud and pay a touching tribute to murdered nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel.
Both goalscorers and provider were all involved again soon after to combine to gift Mohamed Salah with a tap-in at the far post. Alas, with the goal gaping, it wasn’t to be for the Egyptian as he missed the target. Liverpool might have finished the afternoon scoring nine, but it would not be his day.
‘Si Senor’ rang out around Anfield midway through the first half, and it wouldn’t be for the first time as Firmino continued to run riot. His cheekiest of chipped through-balls took out the entire Bournemouth defence, only for Travers to tip Salah’s stinging volley over the bar.
The Brazilian would make it a hat-trick of assists on the half-hour mark, however, as Trent Alexander-Arnold played a smart one-two with the forward after before thundering home from range. Travers stood no chance, with it a similar story when Firmino got his own name on the scoresheet moments later with a smart flick.
After his own disappointing showing against United, Van Dijk headed home Andy Robertson’s corner just before the break as Liverpool went in five goals to the good. In the past, the Reds might have slowed down after building such a lead, but Bournemouth were on the receiving end of a wounded animal baying for blood.
Fabio Carvalho came on at the interval in place of Elliott, who limped to take up his place on the bench. The only downer on the day if another injury suffered, though perhaps only a precaution, yet still furthering Klopp’s cause for reinforcements despite such an emphatic win at least.
Liverpool’s sixth goal was self-inflicted punishment by Bournemouth as Chris Mepham diverted Alexander-Arnold’s cross past Travers, before Firmino scored his brace, and 100th goal for the club, after the Cherries goalkeeper parried Robertson’s cross.
Salah would miss another sitter, skying over from close-range after being picked out by Fabinho, before Carvalho volleyed home from substitute Kostas Tsimikas’ cushioned pass to open his Reds account in front of the Kop.
The Greek then turned provider again as Diaz headed home his corner to wrap up the scoring. 9-0 not only Liverpool’s biggest Premier League victory, but a joint-record in the division too for good measure. Meanwhile, debuts for Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark from the bench was the cherry on the sweetest of cakes..
“We want 10!” chanted a joyous Kop in disbelief, creating a roar as loud as when the Reds thought they had snatched the title away from Man City back in May.
Klopp resisted the calls from the Kop to celebrate with the bumps come the final whistle, wiggling his finger as he showed no interest in getting caught up in the occasion. His side might have won 9-0, but well-aware of the bigger picture, they still trail Man City by five points after four games played following their 4-2 comeback win over Crystal Palace.
Even this most remarkable of victories does not completely paper over the cracks. Yes, it was impressive. Yes, Liverpool will only get stronger as players return from injury. And yes, Elliott and Carvalho impressed in midfield.
But that cannot be allowed to prompt another Reds’ u-turn when it comes to their need for reinforcements before Thursday’s transfer deadline. Henry might have liked what he saw and think normal service is restored from Klopp’s side, but there is still work to be done.
If this is a wounded Liverpool, imagine what they could do with full ammunition. With so many players on the wrong side of 30, alongside a litter of talented teenagers, the Reds’ start has been that of a side in transition. But they can’t afford to take this step back now.
Liverpool have sent a message to the rest of the Premier League, insisting that they are still title-challengers, and hoping it hasn’t come too late. Such a statement in August seems absurd, but that is the levels the Reds and Man City have dragged the English elite to and what now needs to keep being reached for any chance of success. Fine margins and all that.
With Liverpool already playing catch-up, once the glow of this victory passes, supporters will again be demanding a new recruit. After witnessing this record victory in person, now it’s Henry and FSG’s turn to send out a statement, to back Klopp once again and bring in his new, desired midfielder before it’s too late.
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