Match reportDiaz, Salah and Jota goals see Reds come from behind to beat Bournemouth at Anfield

Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota got the goals to overturn Antoine Semenyo’s third-minute opener on an eventful afternoon at Anfield that also involved Alexis Mac Allister receiving a straight red card for a foul on Ryan Christie just before the hour.

Diaz’s second strike in as many matches in 2023-24 was added to by Salah, who scored the rebound after Neto had saved his penalty, to ensure the Reds went in 2-1 up at half-time.

And soon after Mac Allister’s dismissal, following which Wataru Endo came off the bench to make his debut for the club, Jota was on hand to give the hosts a two-goal cushion that they preserved thanks to two excellent late saves from Alisson Becker.

Team news

Jürgen Klopp opted for an unchanged starting line-up from last weekend’s draw at Chelsea, with new signing Endo named among Liverpool’s substitutes alongside the returning Stefan Bajcetic.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold (Gomez, 76), Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gakpo (Endo, 63), Diaz (Nunez, 86), Jota (Elliott, 76), Salah (Tsimikas, 86).

Unused subs: Kelleher, Matip, Bajcetic, Doak.

First half

An inauspicious start to the match from the hosts’ point of view saw Jaidon Anthony have a goal ruled out for offside inside the opening minute, shortly before Semenyo put Bournemouth ahead.

The visitors regained possession high up the pitch and, although Dominic Solanke was subsequently crowded out by Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, the loose ball fell kindly for Semenyo, who drilled home.

Roared on by the home crowd, Liverpool’s response was positive and Van Dijk angled a header from Robertson’s corner off the crossbar.

Dominik Szoboszlai then dragged an attempt wide after a beautiful switch of play by Trent Alexander-Arnold had found Diaz, but the Reds did not have to wait much longer to deservedly restore parity as the clock neared the half-hour mark.

Alexander-Arnold was involved again, the vice-captain this time finding Jota, who in turn delivered a cut-back towards Diaz.

The Colombian had to readjust his body quickly due to a defender getting a slight touch on the ball and he did so to perfection, teeing himself up for an improvised volley that was dispatched past Neto.

And, eight minutes later, Klopp’s side led through Salah.

Szoboszlai was fouled in the area by Joe Rothwell and, after seeing his spot-kick saved by Neto, the No.11 reacted quickest to convert the rebound.

Second half

Keen to build on the work that had seen them wipe out an early deficit, Liverpool emerged from the break looking dangerous.

With Neto stranded having decided to race off his line to head Mac Allister’s pass clear of Salah, Jota half-volleyed over the bar from outside the area.

Indeed, the Reds’ momentum was checked only momentarily by Mac Allister’s 58th-minute dismissal, as they simply doubled down on their commitment to getting a third goal as quickly as possible.

And Jota was the scorer with a classic poacher’s finish, the forward following in to profit when Neto couldn’t hold on to Szoboszlai’s deflected daisy-cutter from 20 yards.

Klopp had already planned his tactical reshuffle prior to that goal, with Endo replacing Cody Gakpo and slotting in at the base of the midfield with a now more withdrawn Szoboszlai.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Liverpool remained the more threatening team, with the pattern of play hinting at the scoreline changing to 4-1 as opposed to 3-2 and Jota seeing a close-range effort repelled by Neto.

Alisson was, however, required to make a couple of outstanding stops in the closing stages to make certain of a hard-earned, yet fully merited, three points.

Attendance: 49,699