Liverpool recorded a 4-0 win over Bournemouth to move to five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota scoring two goals each
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League on Sunday thanks to a comfortable win over Bournemouth.
The Reds claimed a 4-0 victory thanks to second-half braces from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota at the Vitality Stadium. The win saw Liverpool move five points clear of second-placed Manchester City at the top of the table.
Man City have played one match fewer, with Pep Guardiola’s team having a game in hand due to their participation in last month’s FIFA Club World Cup. The Reds and City now do not play a top-flight game until January 31.
Liverpool will now prepare to face Fulham in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. Below is a look at how the national media reacted to the Reds’ win over Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.
‘Everyone together at Liverpool’
Henry Winter, of The Times, wrote: Liverpool are five points clear, their No 9 is firing, their captain is commanding again and they have youngsters stepping in and stepping up. City know they have a fight on their hands.
“Arsenal will aim to play a part in the title race, but Liverpool have Virgil van Dijk, the best centre back in the league on this form, comfortably taming the prolific Dominic Solanke. Liverpool have Conor Bradley, 20, impressing on his Premier League debut at right back. Liverpool have Diogo Jota creating and scoring. And, most significantly, they have Darwin Núñez striking fear into opponents and striking goals.
“Missing the prolific Mohamed Salah, who is to return home from the Africa Cup of Nations for rehab on a hamstring injury, Klopp wanted others to contribute, and they did so in style. Jota was voted player of the match but this was really all about Núñez. During the scoreless first half, the Uruguayan was serenaded by Bournemouth fans with, “You’re just a s**t Andy Carroll”.
“Núñez made a mockery of such attempted mockery with two goals and an assist in the second period. Both of his goals were confident, with the striker getting into good positions and finishing clinically. As well as the points and the good performances all around the team, and from the bench, the sight of Núñez filled with belief will give Liverpool fans even more hope.
He continued: “There is a very real sense of everyone together at Liverpool, and everyone taking responsibility. Given Bournemouth’s form, albeit mainly away from home, Liverpool knew this would be a challenge, especially with the tricky conditions.”
“He emerged for the second half transformed”
Thom Gibbs of The Telegraph, analysed Conor Bradley’s performance: “Bradley is therefore a break-in-case-of-emergency option, as you might have guessed from his squad number of 84, surely one of the highest ever to start a Premier League match? But he has performed credibly in the Europa League and both domestic Cups so far this season. As with most of his team-mates he emerged for the second half transformed.
“There was no hiding after his faltering first 45, asserting himself in challenges and offering a useful passing option to nearby team-mates. With the cushion of Darwin Nunez’s opening goal, Bradley began to play. He came from another dimension to nick a ball from Lewis Cook, then his team-mates steamed in to protect their debutant after he was fouled in the aftermath.”
