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Liverpool 4 – 2 Bournemouth – PL Player Ratings

The Premier League kicked off with the reigning and defending champions facing off against a super impressive Bournemouth side, who also enjoyed a superb season last term.

The lineup and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Alisson Becker – 7.0

The giant Brazilian stopper was largely untested in the opening 45 minutes as he showed confidence in his handling and with the ball at his feet.

After the restart, the Reds keeper was a little more involved as the away side grabbed a close-range goal which he could not stop.

Jeremie Frimpong – 6.0

The Dutch international was given the first opportunity to take the right-back spot, as Conor Bradley missed out with yet another injury. From the outset, the former Bayer Leverkusen wing-back was keen to cover defensive ground and still support the attack when in possession.

In the second half, the jet-heeled wide man was again reliable until his substitution.

Subbed – 59 mins

Milos Kerkez – 6.0

The Hungarian international was a keen defensive eleventh from the outset, looking to cover his skipper against incoming counterattacks. Overexuberance in his tackling was apparent against his former employers, as he looked to make dramatic challenges.

After the half-time break, the former Bournemouth man was relieved of duties to protect himself.

Subbed – 59 mins

Ibrahima Konaté  – 5.0

The France international defender started the game a little cagily as he got acclimatised to the new campaign.

In the second period, the former RB Leipzig man was left stranded for Bournemouth’s goal as he and Virgil were left undermanned. The second goal was a different story as the contract rebel failed to deal with Semenyo on the run.

Virgil van Dijk – 7.0

The captain and leader of this team were positioned early on to stop a dangerous cross as the visitors probed the newly anointed fullbacks. Strong coordination was needed from the skipper as the away side probed the backline of the hosts.

After the intermission, the former Celtic giant was helpless to cover ground against Semenyo’s goal as the away team fired quickly on a counter. The second goal conceded was again a case of indecision.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.0

The Hungarian captain was tasked with a midfield double pivot and looked to be the box-to-box engine that covered both requirements in defence and attack.

As the game resumed, the former RB Leipzig star was less prominent as he adjusted to an opponent that was willing to fight for supremacy.

Alexis Mac Allister – 6.0

The World Cup-winning midfielder was more controlled and an occupier of space as the game flew from end to end in the opening half. His assist for the opening goal was both clever and well-timed as the game started to stagnate.

After the half-time break, the Argentina international was a little outnumbered at times as he adjusted to be the more defensive of the double pivot.

Subbed – 71 mins

Florian Wirtz – 6.0

The German international was a little quiet in the early stages as he struggled to get a foothold in a fast-paced game.

After the break, the £116m summer signing was clever and creative in a half that swung from end to end.

Subbed – 81 mins

Cody Gakpo – 7.0

The Dutch attacker was an outlet early on as he looked to garner space on the left flank.

In the second half, the goal-scoring wide man was able to make up for a lacklustre opening 45 minutes to drive along the opposition penalty area before placing his shot into the far bottom corner.

Hugo Ekitike – 8.0

The France attacker was almost set free early on, before a blatant handball stopped a goal-scoring opportunity. The opening goal was Celebes and well crafted as he managed to push his way into the penalty box before placing the ball into the bottom corner. A header shortly afterwards went just over the bar.

In the second period, the former Bundesliga forward was able to lay the ball off and assist the second goal for his side.

Man of the match

Subbed – 71 mins

Mohamed Salah – 7.0

The Egyptian King was on fire at the outside as he forced the opposition keeper into a superb one-handed save, as the forward cut inside and aimed a looping shot to the far top corner.

In the second 45 minutes, the record-breaking attacker was shackled and adrift of general play too often. A late goal alleviated an average performance and the king finally got on the score sheet.

Substitutions;

Andy Robertson – 6.0 (on 59)

Came on to add experience at fullback.

Wataru Endo – 6.0 (on 59)

Came on to add experience.

Curtis Jones – 6.0 (on 71)

Came on to add control.

Joe Gomez – 6.0 (on 71)

Came on to add defensive play.

Federico Chiesa – 8.0 (on 81)

Came on to add a goal-scoring threat and win the game.

The Manager;

Arne Slot – 7.0

The Dutch head coach was always likely to field the stated starting eleven as he worked to get familiarity within his troops.

The initial substitutions of both his starting fullbacks appeared to have the opposite effect and he was reactive enough to be aware that further alterations were necessary.

Steven Smith’s Pre-match Prediction;

Liverpool 2 – 0 Bournemouth

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