BOURNEMOUTH — Alexander Isak scored the winner as Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League, securing victory for Andoni Iraola on his return to his former club.
The tense contest was settled just after the hour mark. Cody Gakpo did excellent work down the right before delivering a cross that took a slight nick off Florian Wirtz and fell for Isak to crash home in the 61st minute. Liverpool had struggled for long spells, with Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher criticising their first-half display on co-commentary duty: "Iraola probably cannot believe how lethargic Liverpool look."
Bournemouth dominated the opening period but lacked a clinical touch. Their best chance came in the 18th minute when Evanilson's near-post flick from Marcus Tavernier's cross from the right was brilliantly kept out by Alisson, who palmed the effort out from behind him. The Cherries threatened again after the break, but Evanilson curled straight into Alisson's clutches in the 68th minute. Liverpool also had moments, with Djordje Petrovic saving from Bradley Barcola in the 34th minute, Dominik Szoboszlai curling a trademark free-kick just wide in the 36th, James Hill producing a big block to deny Isak after Gakpo played him through in the 70th, and Lewis Koumas firing straight at Petrovic from Victor Munoz's pass in the 90th minute.
The result is Liverpool's second league win of the season and lifts them into sixth place heading into the international break. Bournemouth remain winless under Marco Rose in the league and sit level on points with Coventry in 17th place. In five games this season Isak has four goals, already surpassing his Premier League tally for the entirety of last season of three goals in 14 appearances.