In the 5th round of the 2024/25 Premier League, Liverpool, playing at home, cruised to a dominant 3-0 victory over Bournemouth, temporarily overtaking Man City at the top of the table due to superior goal difference.

Liverpool lined up in their customary 4-2-3-1 formation, with head coach Arne Slot handing Darwin Nunez his first start of the season, replacing Diogo Jota. Meanwhile, new recruit Federico Chiesa remained on the bench.

In just the 3rd minute, Bournemouth thought they had taken the lead through Antoine Semenyo’s close-range strike, but VAR ruled it offside, sparing Liverpool an early setback.

After that, Liverpool surged forward, and Bournemouth’s Kepa Arrizabalaga was called into action, pulling off excellent saves to deny both Luis Diaz and Mo Salah. But the pressure told when Kepa misjudged a play in the 26th minute, allowing Diaz to break the offside trap, round the goalkeeper, and slot home into an empty net for the opening goal.

Two minutes later, Diaz doubled his tally with a sharp finish from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass. Nunez added a third in the 37th minute, with a classy left-footed strike following a brilliant link-up with Salah. Despite maintaining control in the second half, Liverpool couldn’t add to their tally, with Chiesa making his Premier League debut late on but unable to score.

Ultimately, Liverpool secured a comfortable 3-0 win, moving to the top of the table on goal difference (+9 vs. +8), although Man City still have a game in hand. Liverpool will face Wolves in their next match.