Two goals inside the opening six minutes from Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliot put the hosts into a commanding position from the off.
A stunning strike from England full-back Trent Alexander Arnold which arrowed into the top corner gave Liverpool a three-goal lead in the 28th minute before Roberto Firmino got in on the act with a fourth three minutes later.
Not done there, Liverpool had a fifth before the interval, with Virgil van Dijk heading home from a corner — the first time the Reds had netted five in the first half of a league game since 1958.
Chris Mepham’s own goal had the visitors staring at the prospect of an embarrassing drubbing, with such worries heightening after a close-range finish from Firmino and substitute Fabio Carvalho’s volley.
After Diaz headed in the ninth, Liverpool had five minutes to become the first side to score 10 goals in a Premier League match. But despite some late scares, Bournemouth did just enough to avoid suffering that ignominy.
|
|
| Soccer Football – Premier League – Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth – Anfield, Liverpool, Britain – August 27, 2022 Liverpool’s Luis Diaz scores their ninth goal. Photo: Reuters |
Following Manchester United (twice) and Leicester City, it was the fourth time a team has recorded a 9-0 win in a Premier League match.
“We had to prove a point to ourselves,” Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp said as he celebrated the biggest ever competitive win of his managerial career.
“We were not happy with how we played so far this season, but we had good moments in those games.
“We just had to give the game a proper direction and that’s why I loved the start today. Two wonderful goals, everything about them.
“We kept going, scoring different goals but with the same purpose to keep up the pressure. In the end it was the perfect football afternoon.”
The last time Liverpool failed to win any of their opening four games of a season was back in 2012-13, a feat never likely to be repeated once Diaz’s third-minute header on the end of Mohamed Salah’s cross had found the net.
|
|
| Soccer Football – Premier League – Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth – Anfield, Liverpool, Britain – August 27, 2022 Liverpool’s Fabio Carvalho celebrates scoring their eighth goal with Luis Diaz and Fabinho. Photo: Reuters |
It was the first time in eight league games that Liverpool scored first, and before long the hosts added a second in the Merseyside sunshine as young Elliot rifled home from the edge of the penalty area.
A third was quickly forthcoming, and worth the wait for an expectant Anfield, with Alexander-Arnold firing an unstoppable strike into the net, while there was more than an element of fortune about Liverpool’s fourth finished off by Firmino.
In finding the net, the Brazilian became the first Liverpool player to be involved in four goals – three assists and a goal – in the Premier League.
Van Dijk’s header meant it was going to be a long second half for the visitors, with the feeling of dread even more prevalent after Mepham’s own goal just after the break made it six.
A poor parry from Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers was then punished by Firmino, before Carvalho and Diaz again had supporters calling for 10, with Bournemouth looking decidedly panicked, but it was not to be.
Bournemouth have now conceded more goals (16) in their first four games of a Premier League season than any other side in the competition’s history.
“It was a humbling experience what has happened today,” Bournemouth coach Scott Parker said.
“We need to make a decision (in the transfer market) and give these players a break. They are struggling for air.”
Lifting league trophy without fans would be ‘strange’: Henderson
Lifting the Premier League trophy without fans there to see it would be a “pretty strange” experience, Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson has said.
Liverpool take centre stage as title countdown recommences
Liverpool — Liverpool can close to within one win of a first league title in 30 years when the English champions-elect return to action for the first time in three months against local rivals Everton on Sunday.
Liverpool win Premier League title with seven games to spare
LONDON – Thirty years of hurt came to an end for Liverpool when they were confirmed as Premier League champions on Thursday courtesy of second-placed Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat by Chelsea.
Liverpool celebrate long-awaited title in front of empty Kop
LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool’s players finally got their hands on the Premier League trophy on Wednesday in a muted presentation ceremony in front of an empty Kop after a thrilling 5-3 victory over Chelsea in their last home game of the season.
Arsenal beat Liverpool on penalties to lift FA Community Shield
LONDON — Arsenal beat Liverpool 5-4 on penalties on Saturday to lift the FA Community Shield, the curtain-raiser for the English domestic season, after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw on a chilly afternoon at Wembley.
