Isak downs Bournemouth as Liverpool's resolute defence extends Iraola's unbeaten start
It was third time lucky for Alexander Isak at Bournemouth. After a wayward first-half effort and a second-half cross that ballooned over the bar to much amusement from the home crowd, the Swedish forward finally found the mark, taking his fourth goal of the season well as the travelling support chanted "Isak's a Red" long after the final whistle.
Yet Andoni Iraola's Liverpool win on the Cherries' own turf was built as much on an increasingly solid defence as on Isak's finishing. The Reds were far from perfect on Iraola's return to his former club, but they were stubborn at the back, keeping a third consecutive Premier League clean sheet — the first time Liverpool have managed that since September 2024 — and never surrendering an expected-goals figure higher than 0.76 in any of those games.
For all the talk of an attacking trio who all cost in excess of £100m, Liverpool are quietly becoming a harder side to beat under Iraola, who remains unbeaten in all competitions.
"The more times they play together, the more solid the defensive line becomes," said Iraola. "Virgil [van Dijk], Jeremy [Jacquet], Ronald [Araujo] and Milos [Kerkez] — they're getting the connections and becoming more solid."
Jacquet the standout of the campaign so far
Two reliable campaigners, goalkeeper Alisson and centre-back Virgil van Dijk, were superb, with Alisson producing a great first-half save to deny Evanilson. But arguably the biggest positive of Liverpool's campaign so far has been the emergence of 21-year-old Jeremy Jacquet, the £60m summer signing from Rennes who has started every Premier League game since arriving.
"I think he has showed a lot of good things so far this season. Still so young, a lot to learn and a lot to give. Let's keep it going," said Van Dijk.
Jacquet is now poised to make his France debut over the international break after earning a call-up from boss Zinedine Zidane.
"I'm happy for him as he also received his first international call-up. He's also very young and adapted really well to the Premier League," said Iraola. "The first games, he was physically feeling the change of rhythm and I had to substitute him. Today has been a step forward. He looked solid until the end. I think he's in a good place physically and I hope he can continue his development."
Iraola's best league start since Fagan
Iraola was business-like on his return to Bournemouth, saying pre-match that the time for talking would come after the game. He cut a frustrated figure for much of the match as Liverpool struggled to get a grip on proceedings, but they improved after the break and deserved the win, according to the 44-year-old, who held true to his word before spending time with local journalists discussing San Sebastian.
With nine points from a possible 15 in the Premier League, plus wins at Anfield in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, Iraola has enjoyed a largely positive start to life at Liverpool. He is the first manager to remain unbeaten in his first five league games in charge — winning two and drawing three — since Joe Fagan in September 1983.
"Overall, we have definitely improved since the first games," he said. "Some of the things we still need to improve. I'm happy that it is the third league clean sheet in a row. Today is a difficult game — you never play comfortable here, Bournemouth does not allow you to play comfortably, they put you under pressure and you have to adapt and you have to win these kind of games."
The need to adapt was stressed after last week's goalless draw against Fulham, but Iraola's side are learning as a punishing schedule looms.
"We still have to get ready because the schedule we have now is very difficult. I think we play against the top four teams and then in between there is Champions League and Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, every two or three days. So we have to be ready because this month after the break is very demanding for us."
Attackers still searching for rhythm
After the international break, Iraola will also need more from his forwards. Cody Gakpo was impressive again but Florian Wirtz struggled early on, while Bradley Barcola is still awaiting his first goal or assist for Liverpool.
"It was a slow start but after the first phase Florian helped us to improve and I am much happier with his performance in the second half," said Iraola.
On Isak, he added:
"A striker's job is like this. He had a couple of crosses that he did not hit properly or control but in the end he has to help us to be closer to the box, to play in the opposition's half and have more meaningful possession. And then if the team is playing there, he will receive rewards in terms of goal."