Of the times ANFIELD OF DREAMS AS FIRMINO LEADS DEMOLITION
JURGEN KLOPP gave Roberto Firmino the biggest of hugs as he left the pitch after 70 minutes on an astonishing afternoon at Anfield.
A pity Bournemouth didn’t get as close on a record-breaking day for Liverpool – and one to forget for Scott Parker’s team, who simply surrendered.
The Brazilian might not be as loved at Liverpool as he once was, but after three assists and two goals, Firmino (right, with Klopp) was the catalyst for a win that will live long in the memory.
Anyone can lose at Anfield, especially when this Liverpool side are wounded with a point to prove. But the manner of defeat, even allowing for the gulf in class, left a bad taste for Bournemouth’s travelling fans as Klopp’s men ran riot to notch their biggest ever Premier League win.
The Kop howled for a 10th but they had to settle for nine despite late hope when VAR checked a potential penalty for Fabio Carvalho – but for once Bournemouth’s luck was in.
Parker warned of a backlash after Liverpool’s defeat at
Manchester United. But in his worst nightmares he couldn’t have imagined this as his outclassed stars failed to properly defend the hosts’ threat.
He said: “This is the toughest day I have experienced for sure. The touchline was pretty painful and I could sense it was painful for the players as well.
“Liverpool were ruthless, my boys were flat to the floor. At times searching for some oxygen and trying to breathe.
“It was a tough, humbling experience but we can’t be making an excuse. Some of the set-play goals were really poor and I feel sorry for the fans, sorry for the players. We are just a bit under-equipped from where we have come from.”
After losing at Old Trafford, the volume around Liverpool’s uncharacteristic start to the season suddenly dialled up.
Questions surfaced about transfer strategy, tactics and – ludicrously – even the desire of Klopp’s players to go again after their past brilliance.
But in a whirlwind opening six minutes they silenced the noise, sending Anfield into raptures with two superbly worked goals that set the tone for a massacre.
Their performance bristled with a venomous desire to put
right a poor start to the campaign. After a VAR check Luis Diaz started the avalanche, heading home from close range after being picked out by Firmino.
Anfield barely had chance to draw breath when they were celebrating a stunning second from teenage winger Harvey Elliott, who was in the right place as Firmino’s touch fell in his path and his curling drive was quality.
Liverpool struggled with their injury list in the opening three games but not here.
Parker’s men were beaten 4-0 at Manchester City and 3-0 at home to Arsenal, but this defeat was on another level as they completely capitulated. Amazingly, Mo Salah didn’t score but he should have added a third, somehow missing from an Elliott cross to the far post and then seeing a volley tipped over.
Another goal wasn’t long coming and what a beauty it was.
A one-two with Firmino gave Trent Alexander-Arnold the chance to rifle home a 25-yard banger. Minutes later Firmino was on the scoresheet himself with a neat take after a wicked deflection.
Virgil van Dijk made it five, easily heading home Andy Robertson’s corner on the stroke of half-time and an own goal by
Chris Mepham made it six moments after the restart.
Firmino grabbed his second after a Mark Travers fumble for
7-0 before young sub Carvalho scored with a smart volley and a Diaz header rounded off the scoring.
So, Liverpool are back on track with a bang while for Bournemouth, many more heavy losses like this will make relegation seem inevitable.