Liverpool equalled the record for the joint-biggest Premier League win in history by beating Bournemouth 9-0 at Anfield.
The hosts scored twice inside the opening six minutes, with Roberto Firmino lifting a cross in from the right that Luis Diaz headed into the top corner, before the Brazilian was involved again as he set Harvey Elliott up to curl inside the far post.
By the 31st minute, Liverpool had scored twice more. Trent Alexander-Arnold played a neat one-two with the lively Firmino before arrowing a shot from distance into the top corner, before the centre-forward got on the scoresheet himself, diverting Mohamed Salah’s deflected cross in from close range.
On the stroke of half-time, Jurgen Klopp’s men made it 5-0. Andy Robertson’s corner was met by Virgil van Dijk, who powered home a header.
Liverpool picked up where they left off in the second half, with Chris Mepham inadvertently turning Alexander-Arnold’s deep cross past his own goalkeeper and Firmino adding to his personal tally, tapping home the rebound after Mark Travers was unable to hold Robertson’s cross.
Kostas Tsimikas set up fellow substitute Fabio Carvalho late on, before the Greek defender’s corner found Diaz, who made it a record-equalling 9-0.
Reds boss Klopp was thrilled with his team’s performance, suggesting he could not find fault with his players.
He said: “We wanted to show a reaction [after losing to Manchester United]. Be ourselves. Getting to be the best version of ourselves.
“We play a specific way. We scored wonderful goals. The game settled and we kept scoring. It was about keeping going. Not to humiliate Bournemouth, we couldn’t respect them more. It’s about putting the opponent under pressure.
“I could bring on the kids, they deserve it so much. Harvey is a special player, wonderful goal. Everything was perfect, pretty much.
“It’s important to get it off the chest and play football. Wednesday [against Newcastle] will be different. Today the mix of great weather and fantastic football, we don’t have that often at Liverpool so we should cherish it.
“At least we don’t have to answer the question anymore [about not winning]. A really good day for us. We won’t get carried away.
“If we want to be successful in this league we have to show consistency. That’s what we have to do now. That used to be our strength. We’ll watch Newcastle tomorrow and see what we can do against them.”
Alexander-Arnold — whose goal was outstanding — explained the crowd’s role in his decision to shoot from distance.
He said: “Me and Bobby played a nice one-two and I just felt myself creeping to the edge of the box. I heard shouts of ‘hit it’ and I thought ‘why not?’
“I’ve hit it well. It was a good goal. I haven’t seen it back yet. I’m sure I’ll see it on Twitter in a minute.
“It wasn’t the start to the season we hoped for. Three disappointing results. At home, nice weather, we knew the atmosphere would be there.
“We had a point to prove. We needed to win and we have in a special way.
Liverpool’s win was their joint-biggest margin of victory in their league history (also 9-0 against Crystal Palace in 1989 and 10-1 against Rotherham Town in 1896).
Liverpool scored five goals in the first half of a single Premier League game for the first time. The Reds last achieved this feat in a top-flight game in October 1927 against Portsmouth.
Bournemouth suffered their joint-heaviest defeat in their entire league history, also losing 9-0 against Lincoln City in December 1982 in the third tier.
Bournemouth have conceded more goals in their first four games of a Premier League season than any other side in the competition’s history (16).
Liverpool had two different teenagers (Elliott and Carvalho) score in the same Premier League game for the first time in their history in the competition.
Firmino became the first Liverpool player to be directly involved in four goals in the first half of a single Premier League match (one goal, three assists).
Credit: Livescore
