Darwin Nunez strikes sublime Liverpool winner as they beat Bournemouth
It wasn't pretty, but Liverpool got the job done at Bournemouth to move within two rounds of another Carabao Cup final.
After 31 minutes where both sides struggled in the conditions, Cody Gakpo struck from close range after Harvey Elliott's deflected shot was saved by Ionut Radu. Justin Kluivert levelled just after the hour mark but just minutes later, a screamer from away substitute Darwin Nunez proved decisive.
With Premier League survival the undoubted priority for Andoni Iraola and co, the hosts are unlikely to view the defeat as damaging long term. But the Reds are now firmly in the mix for a return to Wembley, and the chance to again land silverware after finishing the 2022/23 campaign without a trophy.
Mirror Football reviews the five main talking points from the Vitality Stadium....
Klopp's Salah statement
There might have been eight changes from the Liverpool starting XI that beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but Jurgen Klopp still made his intentions clear.
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In starting Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai, the manager made sure to include both his top scorer and best performing player this season. The Egyptian forward missed a penalty when the Reds lost on their last visit to the Vitality Stadium in March, and in truth endured a frustrating night individually, but goals from Gakpo and Nunez were enough regardless.
The bench was also loaded with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold and of course, Nunez. Liverpool may well be set to challenge for the Premier League title and also taking the Europa League seriously, but make no mistake, with Man City out of the picture Klopp is clearly targeting Carabao Cup success.
Liverpool captain for the night Mo Salah greets former teammate Dominic Solanke (James Marsh/REX/Shutterstock)HAVE YOUR SAY! How did you rate Liverpool's performance? Comment below.
Storm Ciaran causes havoc
It's not simply the win which would have pleased the visitors, but also the fact they had to come through beyond inclement weather to get it.
Cody Gakpo's goal was a rare highlight on a stormy night in Bournemouth (Getty Images)No one signs up to football in England without expecting a spot of rain in November, but conditions tonight had a profound effect on the spectacle. And they were summarised aptly in the first half when home keeper Ionu Radu, on loan from Inter Milan, attempted a clearance in the howling wind that barely left his box.
The forecast is set to marginally improve for the weekend, and fans need it to. Those who splashed out for tonight's cup tie undoubtedly endured 90 plus minutes that was severely hampered by wind and rain.
Quansah coming of age
Liverpool's early-season form in league and cup should arguably come as little surprise given the forward power they possess, a notion that has long signified Klopp's reign on Merseyside.
Jarrell Quansah with Harvey Elliott before kick-off (Getty Images)And yet, the perception remains that their record in 2023/24 is remarkable given the jeopardy at the back that has accompanied many of their games. But in 20-year-old Jarrell Quansah, who made just his seventh club appearance, they have a player who could yet be a long-term solution to any defensive instability.
The England Under-21 international showcased his pace across the ground and ball-playing ability tonight, and during the game fans of the Reds on social media compared him to Virgil van Dijk. Those assertions may be hasty but if he maintains such standards, Quansah could soon be entrusted with League starts - as well as Carabao Cup ones.
Encouragement for Iraola
When his side walked out to face Burnley on Saturday, if Andoni Iraola had been offered three points in exchange for a midweek cup exit he would accepted it in a nanosecond.
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(James Marsh/REX/Shutterstock)Although at one stage tonight, his mind would have turned to a potential place in the last eight. With the conditions in their favour in the second half, the hosts were in the ascendancy long before Justin Kluivert levelled.
Nunez soon appeared to scupper hopes though. It is of course, the final league placing that will define the season for Iraola and his team but if nothing else, tonight's display will further suggest the Spaniard is starting to turn things around.
Nunez now finding consistency
Ever since his arrival on Merseyside last summer, Darwin Nunez has been formidable and frustrating in equal measures.
Darwin Nunez curls in the winner (James Marsh/REX/Shutterstock)Sometimes wonderful around goal, but often woeful in front of it, his final season tally of 15 goals in all competitions last season was underwhelming given the chances presented to him. But tonight's stunner meant a goal in each of his last three appearances for the Reds, and five in six appearances for club and country.
And the nature of his strike, cutting in from the left and whipping a shot over Radu into the top of the net, showcased why Klopp paid £64million to bring him into Anfield. Should he continue his current consistency and match-winning form, then what was initially perceived as a lofty fee could soon appear a bargain.
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