Isak strikes as Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0 on Iraola's Vitality return

Isak settles tense south-coast clash at the Vitality

Alexander Isak struck just after the hour to hand Liverpool a 1-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, a result delivered on Andoni Iraola's return to the club he once managed. The Liverpool head coach watched his side grind out a second league victory of the season to head into the international break in sixth, while the Cherries remain winless in the league under Marco Rose and sit 17th, level on points with Coventry.

The decisive moment arrived in the 61st minute. Isak latched onto Cody Gakpo's cross from the right — via a slight nick off Florian Wirtz — to crash Liverpool in front. The goal arrived against the run of play, with Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher lamenting Liverpool's lethargy on co-commentary: “Iraola probably cannot believe how lethargic Liverpool look.”

The key moments

• 18': HUGE SAVE! Tavernier's cross from the right is flicked towards the near post by Evanilson but Alisson makes a huge stop.
• 34': SAVE! Bradley Barcola cuts inside from the left wing and his effort is saved by Djordje Petrovic.
• 36': JUST WIDE! Dominik Szoboszlai hits a trademark free-kick which bounces just the wrong side of the post.
• 61': GOAL! Isak crashes Liverpool in front after Gakpo did well down the right wing.
• 68': SAVE! Bournemouth look for a response but Evanilson can only curl into Alisson's clutches.
• 70': BIG BLOCK! Gakpo pokes Isak through on goal but James Hill comes across for a big block.
• 90+2': BIG CHANCE! Lewis Koumas has the chance to seal it for Liverpool but his curling effort inside the box from Victor Munoz's pass is straight at Petrovic.

Iraola: 'A difficult place to come'

Iraola was pleased with the three points but admitted his side were below par early on.

“I'm obviously happy with the result. I know it's a difficult place to come, very difficult place to get three points. We could see in the game, at the beginning in the first 20 minutes, we weren't at the level at the game, and it has cost us until afterwards, where we finished the first half better. The second half we played better. But that beginning of the game kind of — not surprised us because we knew where we were coming to — but it was difficult for us. We could see a bit later when Bournemouth started to get tired that in the second half we controlled the game much better. We even had chances to finish but didn't score the second one. But that first part of the game, we were not winning duels, second balls and when they play with this intensity, you have to be at their level.”

Rose: Bournemouth 'panicked in tight situations'

Bournemouth boss Marco Rose felt the contest was evenly matched and rued a lack of composure in key moments.

“We couldn't see that one team deserved to win. We played really good in the first 25 minutes and then it got more open. We had to work really hard to get chances but we conceded an easy goal. In both boxes, you had to be ready and be present. In the end, they scored the goal with one situation and we put a lot of effort into creating chances. We panicked a little bit in tight situations. We were fit and I thought we could bring more energy into the game. It is disappointing. It was an opportunity to win, right now we have three points from five games and it is disappointing, I think we missed details.”

Analysis: Where would Liverpool be without Cody Gakpo?

Sky Sports' Sam Blitz highlighted Gakpo's growing influence. In every Liverpool game he has started this season, the Dutchman has produced a golden moment in front of goal — a goal at Newcastle on the opening weekend, a silky finish against Nottingham Forest, assists for both goals in the win over Ipswich, another assist and a goal against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, and now the decisive build-up at Bournemouth.

With Liverpool struggling for attacking influence, Gakpo's hard-fought run and cross down the right wing was vital. “The difficult part of the goal is from him,” said Iraola, who felt Gakpo was unfortunate not to be credited with the assist. Gakpo also starred defensively, winning more duels than any other player on the pitch. “I know Adrien Truffert very well and he demands a lot from you defensively. Cody today has been very important in both ways.” Looking at this form, Blitz noted, it is “absolutely staggering that Liverpool considered sanctioning the sale of Gakpo this summer.”

Player ratings

BBC Sport rated the performers after Isak's winner secured Liverpool's narrow victory. Jeremy Jacquet (8) and Alisson (7) were among the standout names.

Bournemouth

• Djordje Petrovic (6): Quiet first half but made a good save with his feet to keep out Bradley Barcola. No chance of stopping Isak's goal.
• Adam Smith (6): Good shift on his 431st appearance for Bournemouth, largely nullifying Barcola's threat.
• Antonio Silva (6): Settling into Premier League life; another impressive display from the Portuguese centre-back.
• James Hill (6): Solid on his 50th Premier League appearance, keeping Isak quiet until the forward found space.
• Adrien Truffert (5): Good battle with Gakpo but sloppy in possession and beaten by the Dutchman before the goal.
• Tyler Adams (5): Decent display but will question his defensive role in Isak's goal.
• Alex Scott (6): Tidy in possession, now off to join England on international duty.
• Rayan (6): Scored in midweek and good on the ball, but not involved enough.
• Ryan Christie (6): Started in Justin Kluivert's absence, got into good positions but failed to convert.
• Marcus Tavernier (6): Threatened going forward, near assist with a cross for Evanilson.
• Evanilson (6): Caused problems; first-half flick saved by Alisson and another effort denied after the break.

Subs: Cook (5), Brooks (5), Jebbison (5), Gannon-Doak, Toth. Not used: Di Gregorio, Soler, Diakite, Sanchez.

Liverpool

• Alisson (7): Great reaction save to deny Evanilson and authoritative throughout; integral to the clean sheet.
• Ronald Araujo (6): Comfortable defensively at right-back but did little going forward.
• Jeremy Jacquet (8): Composed display; made a naive early foul on Evanilson but responded with great tackles. Off to join France.
• Virgil van Dijk (7): Solid again, ensuring Liverpool weren't punished for a poor first half.
• Milos Kerkez (6): Targeted early with crossfield balls but battled throughout.
• Alexis Mac Allister (6): Found space to open the game up after a slow start.
• Dominik Szoboszlai (6): Played with real purpose; free-kick just wide and booked after half-time.
• Cody Gakpo (7): Started on the right; his quality helped make Isak's goal.
• Florian Wirtz (5): Another struggle; credit for a part in the goal but has to do more.
• Bradley Barcola (6): Threatened in phases; Liverpool want more from their marquee summer signing.
• Alexander Isak (7): Poor early on but, like a true striker, was in the right place to finish. Already has more Premier League goals than last season.

Subs: Victor Munoz (5), Nyoni (5), Gravenberch, Lewis Koumas. Not used: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Ngumoha.