Luis Diaz scored twice in quick succession during the first half, leading Liverpool to a dominant victory over Bournemouth at Anfield, putting them back on track in the Premier League.
Arne Slot’s side, who lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest the previous weekend, thought they had taken the lead when Antoine Semenyo converted Justin Kluivert’s cross, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR for offside.
Liverpool responded swiftly, with chances for Diaz, Mohamed Salah, and Darwin Nunez.
Diaz eventually broke the deadlock, rounding Kepa Arrizabalaga to slot the ball into the net.
Just minutes later, he doubled the lead, finishing a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold by firing through Kepa’s legs.Nunez, making his first Premier League start since April, extended the lead to 3-0 with a stunning curling effort, his first league goal in over five months.
Federico Chiesa, in his Premier League debut, also made an impression, hitting the woodwork late in the game, though from an offside position.
Bournemouth had their own chance thwarted by the crossbar as they suffered their second straight defeat.
The win temporarily lifts Liverpool to the top of the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s clash between Manchester City and Arsenal.
In a separate match, Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Chelsea inflicted a third consecutive home defeat on a lackluster West Ham.
Chelsea took the lead early when Jadon Sancho set up Jackson after West Ham’s defense switched off at a free kick.
Jackson then outpaced Edson Alvarez and slotted past Alphonse Areola.
Fourteen minutes later, Jackson doubled the lead, taking advantage of space to beat Max Kilman and score with a deft finish.
Chelsea sealed the win just after half-time when Jackson set up Cole Palmer, who fired home with precision.
West Ham felt hard done by after a strong penalty claim was denied following a tussle between Crysencio Summerville and Wesley Fofana.
Mohammed Kudus had a goal disallowed for offside, and Jarrod Bowen forced a save from Robert Sanchez after the break.
Chelsea’s win moves them within two points of league leaders Liverpool, while West Ham remains in the bottom half, just three points above the relegation zone.
