Bournemouth 0 Liverpool 1: Isak begins to justify huge price tag as Iraola picks up huge win at former club

IT WAS the perfect afternoon back on the south coast for Andoni Iraola. Hugs from his former players, applause even from the home fans, and another three points on the road. Alexander Isak clinched the three points for Liverpool Credit: Shutterstock Editorial His second half strike was the difference as he popped the Bournemouth cherry Credit: Shutterstock Editorial More crucially, too, for the new Anfield boss, evidence for the first time this season that his side have what it takes to grind out a win even when they are nowhere near what he wants them to be. Alexander Isak’s fourth of the fledgling campaign, sweeping home when Cody Gakpo’s cross found its way to the Dutchman just before the hour, proved the difference, as Bournemouth’s midweek Euro exertions left the Cherries ripe for second half picking. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Iraola will not care too much how his side have come through the first five games before the international break unbeaten and within hailing distance of the summit. After all, the new Reds chief is trying to institute a very different approach to the one that saw Arne Slot shunted into the sidings in the summer. It is a case of baby steps, and in the meantime, Liverpool are still picking up points, still to taste defeat, with wins in both their cup competitions as well. And while nobody will suggest this was a vintage performance – even Alex Scott saw his influence wane as Marco Rose’s side simply had nothing left to give, Iraola will look to the positives. He has Isak scoring goals, even when he doesn’t play too well and has now overseen three straight clean sheets in the Prem – although only courtesy of a brilliant first half save by Alisson from Evanilson. Yet the Liverpool fans who gleefully chanted “Isak’s a Red, ole, ole” have still to see real evidence that Bradley Barcola is ready to make an impact. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS As for Florian Wirtz, despite an inadvertent part in the winner, the German looks like an extra piece that simply does not fit the jigsaw puzzle. Of course, by the time the table starts to really matter, you only count the points you rack up in the autumn. Style is irrelevant. Iraola, though, may reflect that he was fortunate to have to return to the Vitality to face a side that had left their legs in Sociedad on Thursday night. Once Liverpool had got through a distinctly underwhelming first half hour, after Rayan and Evanilson made a bee-line to warmly grab the Spaniard before the start, this had a feeling of inevitability. The match stats from Bournemouth v Liverpool It was the perfect return to his old club by Andoni Iraola Credit: Shutterstock Editorial In that opening spell Bournemouth, with Alex Scott – joining up with England this week – at the heart of operations, looked far more purposeful. Had Alisson not made a brilliant stop they would have taken an early lead. Adrien Truffert’s smart ball released Marcus Tavernier in space on the left and when he crossed low to the near-post, Evanilson’s heel-flick was superb. Alisson could only have seen it late, virtually as the ball was squeezing inside his upright, but got down brilliantly to flick behind. Outstanding. Isak celebrated with the travelling support Credit: Reuters Isak’s shot map against Bournemouth Yet, in truth, it was the only time he was actually tested. The momentum dropped and then disappeared. Yes, Liverpool had offered little after Dominik Szoboszlai hit an early free-kick high and wide. With Wirtz again struggling to make an impact and Bradley Barcola isolated, Liverpool could not get going. The German was supposed to be the man to take Liverpool into a new dimension yet he has now played 55 games for the club. Isak was booked for his celebrations with the fans Credit: Shutterstock Editorial It was another tough day at the office for Florian Wirtz against Bournemouth You can probably count the good ones on the fingers of one hand. How many more chances will he get? Even so, slowly but surely, Liverpool took a grip. Barcola was denied a first Liverpool goal when Djordje Petrovic flung out his right leg and used his knee to propel the Frenchman’s 20-yarder out and away, before a second Szoboszlai free-kick flashed past his right-hand post. Isak’s only stand-out moments until he scored were miserable, a shot that ended up nearer the corner flag than the goal before the interval, a horribly overhit cross which almost landed in the Liverpool fans on the opposite side of the pitch at the start of the second period. But all that was forgotten when the Swede was in the right place 10 yards out as Gakpo’s cross, aimed for Wirtz, ran through to him to give the exposed Petrovic no chance at all. Alex Scott put in a fine performance following his England call up despite defeat Credit: Getty Scott was at the heart of the Cherries midfield against the Reds Isak has already scored as many, in just seven games this term, as he managed in the entirety of his first injury-hit season after his controversial £125m move from Newcastle. More good news for the new manager. Bournemouth looked dead on their feet, the spaces opening up, Liverpool seeking the second to kill it off but lacking the precision to create a serious chance. Not that it ever felt as if it might be costly. Evanilson did demand an admittedly more comfortable save from Alisson when he was fed by Tyler Adams yet there was no real belief in Marco Rose’s side. The average position of Bournemouth against Liverpool The average position of Liverpool against Bournemouth When Scott’s late free-kick cleared the bar by a distance, it was the end of any flickering home hopes. For Iraola, life is becoming sweeter. His successor might be starting to look at the table with more concern. Comment now