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Darwin Nunez sends ideal Liverpool message as two Arne Slot wishes granted - 5 things we spotted

Darwin Nunez celebrates his goal for Liverpool vs Bournemouth.
-Credit: (Image: Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)


ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez helped Liverpool cruise to a win over Bournemouth in the Premier League. Arne Slot had demanded an improvement in performance from the defeat to Nottingham Forest and he certainly got that.

By half-time, Liverpool was three goals ahead and cruising. Antoine Semenyo had been denied a goal by a narrow offside call at 0-0 but Liverpool thoroughly deserved to be in the lead by the interval. By being so far in front, the Reds were then able to manage things.

Bournemouth, of course, had been losing 2-0 on Merseyside against Everton only three weeks ago but there was never any danger of a comeback here. Andoni Iraola even seemed to accept that on the Anfield touchline with his protests at the referee diminishing with every goal.

Arne Slot has already shown Darwin Nunez plan as key Diogo Jota advantage explained Arne Slot sends new Martin Zubimendi message as Liverpool transfer plan made clear

Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded. The Reds are top of the Premier League as things stand, with Manchester City and Arsenal set to play one another at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow.

Darwin Nunez proves his point

The one surprise in the Liverpool line-up, Nunez scored a brilliant goal and held the ball up well. Arne Slot wants him to do even more off the ball but games like this one should suit the Uruguayan.

"There’s a lot of confidence in him," Slot had said in his pre-match press conference. "But there are two players for that position and I could even come up with more who could play in that position — he is in competition with Diogo Jota who has done really well.

"There are many games have to be played and there will be enough time to judge Darwin. If he improves and how he improves and if he can do special things for the club."

Liverpool still sees that there is a player to be unlocked in Nunez. He still needs to improve but this was another important step in the right direction. Considering this was his first start of the campaign, he didn't appear to be lacking sharpness.

Dominik Szoboszlai next step clear

Answering his new boss with a goal last Tuesday in Milan, Dominik Szoboszlai still needs to improve his output even further and that was shown by one driving run forward in the first half. He overran the ball and gave it away when he could have had a shot or teed up a teammate.

This was a decent performance from the Hungarian and he got through more intense running than anyone, but Szoboszlai, as a number 10, will be judged on numbers. He certainly has the talent to improve them.

Two Arne Slot requests granted

"My only protestation was about how we played," Slot had said before the game in his press conference, referencing the Nottingham Forest loss a week ago. "We as a team have to be aware that fans need something to get behind the team and I don't think we did that enough.

"If we don't show up enough maybe that can help us if it looks like it might not be our day, but I like to look at ourselves — if we do better than the fans will enjoy what they see. It starts with us doing better tomorrow. But maybe the fans can give us an extra push."

Liverpool's players played with much more intensity and creativity, albeit not stifled by a low block this week and given much more room to work in than Nuno Espirito Santo's team granted it. The crowd duly responded by being much more lively.

Caoimhin Kelleher plays his part

Without Alisson Becker, Liverpool has as able a deputy as anyone in Caoimhin Kelleher. The Irishman gave the ball away a couple of times but he will benefit hugely from the competitive action.

The pressure was on him to some extent after he spoke out about wanting more game time but he showed why that should be possible somewhere in the top half of the Premier League. That will have to wait, though, precisely because of Alisson's injury history. It would take a brave gambler to put money on this being Kelleher's last appearance in the top flight for the Reds.

Federico Chiesa makes Anfield bow

He hasn't stopped smiling since he stepped through the door at Liverpool and it didn't take long for him to get his first shot away in Liverpool colors. The Italian has been itching to get a run-out on home turf and this was the ideal chance to give him a go.

Chiesa surely has a decent chance of starting the Carabao Cup tie against West Ham United midweek. He might even get to play in his preferred position on the right, rather than the number nine berth he was deployed in here.

He looked a little rusty, as you would imagine. But there was one touch from the 26-year-old that showed his quality when he killed the ball when it dropped out of the sky. There's plenty more to come from him... and Liverpool too.