Trent Alexander-Arnold surging down the right flank is a terrifying sight for any defense, and Bournemouth were powerless as he recorded his first Premier League assist of the season.

In the 29th minute, rather than his typical run down the right, Alexander-Arnold cut inside toward the edge of Bournemouth’s box, delivering a perfect pass to Luis Diaz, who calmly finished the move.

This assist marked a significant milestone for the England right-back, as it was his 100th goal involvement for Liverpool across all competitions (19 goals, 81 assists). At 25 years and 350 days old, he became the youngest player since Steven Gerrard to reach this mark for the Reds.

This remarkable statistic highlights Alexander-Arnold’s crucial role at Liverpool since his first-team debut under Jurgen Klopp in 2017. It also serves as a reminder that Liverpool must prioritize securing his future, as his current contract expires next summer.

While Alexander-Arnold already notched his first assist of the season with a pinpoint free-kick for Ibrahima Konate in the Champions League opener against AC Milan, his influence in open play is now coming to the fore. Bournemouth struggled to cope with his attacking runs into the spaces opened by Liverpool’s forward line.

Resolving Alexander-Arnold’s contract should be a top priority for Liverpool’s new sporting director Richard Hughes. If he remains at Anfield until the age of 30, the England international could easily double his contribution tally.

However, with every passing day without a new deal, uncertainty around his future grows, especially with Real Madrid openly expressing interest.

Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez, given a starting role, found redemption in the 38th minute. After receiving a pass from Salah on the right, Nunez cut inside and unleashed a brilliant left-footed strike into the far corner.

Nunez’s recent performances show the positive impact of coaching staff efforts to help him adjust to Liverpool’s system. Video analysis has helped him understand both his attacking responsibilities and defensive duties, and his contributions against Bournemouth demonstrate his progress.

Not only did Nunez shine offensively, but his work off the ball was equally impressive. He led the press and regularly dropped back to help with defensive efforts.

Though Nunez faced criticism during his first two seasons at Liverpool, his display against Bournemouth is a promising start. The challenge now is maintaining this level of performance consistently, marking an ideal breakthrough for the Uruguayan forward.