21 January 2024 , 19:12
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp felt his team gave Bournemouth a head start before eventually running riot in the second half thanks to a change in formation.
The Reds were frustrated in the first half at the Vitality Stadium, with Cherries forward Justin Kluivert escaping a red card for a high challenge on Luis Diaz. The visitors found their groove after the break, though, with Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota each scoring twice in a 4-0 away win.
Before the game, the big question was whether Liverpool could cope without Mohamed Salah. The top scorer is away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, and picked up an injury against Ghana which could bring a longer absence, but Nunez and Jota were on good form in his absence.
"The second half was much better," Klopp told Sky Sports. "The opponent was in a good moment and I actually thought we made a bad start. We gave them momentum unnecessarily.
"We were not flexible enough, went long when we should have gone short and short when we should have gone long. The left side was completely static. But I told the boys at half-time it was good news. We hadn't been great but it was still 0-0.
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"We changed formation and all of a sudden we were much more fluent. The support for the front line was much better. We were calm."
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Darwin Nunez scored two of Liverpool's four goals at Bournemouth (Getty Images)A missed penalty from Salah cost his team in the corresponding match last season, with Bournemouth picking up a 1-0 win. There might have been fears of a repet after a quiet first 45 this time out, but Klopp's team mate no mistake after the break as Nunez moved into a more central role.
Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham shared his frustrations after the defeat, pointing to the timing of Liverpool's opener. Nunez's first goal came less than five minutes into the second period, and frrom there on out the visitors didn't look back.
"It's frustrating they scored so early," the Welsh international said. "As soon as they get the first goal it's always a mountain to climb from there and their quality shone through.
"It's extremely tough. Even when you feel like you're on top, they have players at the other end who can create quality from nowhere. Some of the finishes were unbelievable. We're frustrated to concede those goals in one half but they were always going to come out with quality.
"Teams at this level will punish you. Players like Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota only need half a yard to punish you. We had a couple of chances that didn't quite fall and which we didn't take."