Caoimhin Kelleher impresses as Liverpool go top with win over Bournemouth

A brace from Luis Diaz and a stunning strike from Darwin Nunez ensured Arne Slot's Reds claimed the three points.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher impressed in his first club appearance of the season.

Premier League: Liverpool 3 Bournemouth 0

Liverpool moved top of the Premier League table with a comfortable victory over Bournemouth at Anfield.

Two goals in two minutes from in-form Luis Diaz set Arne Slot's team on the way while Darwin Nunez justified his recall for his first start with a superb strike for the third as the Merseyside club effectively had the points wrapped up by half-time.

Republic of Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher made a fine late save from Luis Sinisterra to ensure he kept a clean sheet after coming in for his first start of the season for the injured Alisson Becker.

Liverpool got last week's shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest out of their system by beating AC Milan in the San Siro in their opening Champions League game on Tuesday.

But they still received a rude wake-up call after just five minutes when Antonine Semenyo slid the ball home after a fine run and cross by Justin Kluivert only for VAR to rule that Semenyo had strayed marginally offside.

Liverpool responded well and ensured Cherries keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had to work overtime.

Kepa saved twice from Diaz and also Mo Salah and Nunez but he was badly at fault for Liverpool's first goal after 26 minutes.

The Chelsea loanee got caught in no-man's land on the edge of his penalty area when Ibrahima Konate pumped a long ball forward.

Liverpool's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Kepa reacted too late and Diaz controlled the ball superbly on his chest, spun past the stranded keeper before firing into a empty net.

Diaz took only two minutes to add his second - his fifth goal in five Premier League starts this season.

This time the Colombia international fired home with his left foot after controlling a pass by Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose driving 50 yard run had cut Bournemouth's midfield wide open.

Nunez ended his club goal drought by making it 3-0 after 37 minutes with a superb curling effort shot after linking well with Mo Salah down Liverpool's right flank.

It was the Uruguay striker's first club goal since April 4 - and only his second in his last 18 appearances.

At that point with Liverpool running riot, the shell-shocked Cherries must feared a repeat of the 9-0 hammering they suffered at Anfield two years ago after which Scott Parker was sacked and current boss Andoni Iraola appointed.

But, to their credit, they refused to throw the towel in, tightened up considerably after the break and ensured Liverpool didn't add to their tally while threatening to pull a goal back on occasions themselves with Kelleher saving well from Sinisterra towards the end.

Liverpool eased off the gas to an extent but still could have had more goals. Ryan Gravenberch had a long shot saved, Nunez had a close range effort cleared off the line, new signing Enrico Chiesa - on for Nunez - struck a post and Curtis Jones saw a goal-bound shot deflected wide.

Liverpool (4-3-3); Kelleher 7; Alexander-Arnold 8, Konate 7, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 7; Gravenberch 7, Mac Allister 7, Szoboszlai 6 (Jones 60, 6); Salah 6, Nunez 7 (Chiesa 72, 6), Diaz 9 (Gakpo 72, 7).

Unused substitutes: Jaros, Gomez, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley.

Goals: Diaz 26, 28, Nunez 37.

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Kepa 6; Araujo 5 (Smith 69, 5), Zabarnyi 6, Huijsen 6, Kerkez 6; Cook 6 Christie 5 (Scott 69, 5), Semenyo 5 (Sinisterra 69, 5), Kluivert 5 (Quattara 46, 5), Tavernier 5; Evanilson 4 (Unal 75, 5).

Unused substitutes: Travers, Senesi, Brooks, Hill, Unal.

Booked: Christie, Kluivert.

Referee: Tony Harrington 7.