'The reason they are playing here': Iraola says two Liverpool players really showed their class vs Bournemouth
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Liverpool secured an important three points in the Premier League by beating Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Reds were a little under pressure heading into the game having surprisingly lost against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
A good win against AC Milan in midweek had brought positivity back to Anfield, but it had to be backed up with a win and a better display against the Cherries.
Thankfully, Liverpool delivered on both fronts. Although the Reds were thankful to Caoimhin Kelleher for keeping their clean sheet intact, they also could have scored once or twice more themselves.
In the end, the three goal margin was incredibly comfortable and Liverpool look down from the top of the Premier League on Saturday night.
While they may be slightly frustrated not to have made it four or five, the three goals the Reds did score were also exceptionally good and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola couldn’t help but applaud Liverpool’s quality after the game.
Andoni Iraola praises Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez
Liverpool could have easily been behind by the time Luis Diaz put them ahead in the 26th minute.
Just two minutes later, though, the Reds had doubled their lead. Diaz slotted home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass and Liverpool were home and hosed.
There was still time for another before half-time, with Darwin Nunez firing home a wonder-strike on his weaker left foot.
Nunez was visibly emotional after the goal and hopefully it can serve as a launchpad for the rest of his season.
READ MORE: Liverpool’s player ratings after beating Bournemouth 3-0 at Anfield
Looking back on the goals that undid his team after the match for beIN SPORTS, Iraola admitted that Diaz’s first and Darwin’s goal in particular highlighted the quality of the two South Americans.
“He was very good, you have to give credit to Luis Diaz,” said the manager, after refusing to blame goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for rushing out on the Colombian’s opening goal.
“That one and also the third one from Darwin is a lovely strike and that’s the reason they are playing here for Liverpool.”
How did Darwin Nunez play overall?
It was obviously a big day for Nunez on Saturday. Afforded his first start of the season, it was a chance for the Uruguayan to lay down a marker.
Ultimately, the goal did that. However, putting the ball in the net aside, Nunez was relatively quiet at Anfield.
In some ways, that could represent progress for Liverpool’s No.9. At times in the past Nunez would do everything in a game but score a goal.
If he’s now reverted to quieter affairs but ones where he takes his chances, then fans won’t mind that at all.
Whichever way you look at it, as Iraola says, the excellent strike from Nunez was a reminder of the quality he does possess. Let’s hope he can now start to show it with more regularity.
