Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez both struck twice as Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 win at AFC Bournemouth to go five points clear at the top.

The Reds did not miss absent duo Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold as they scored four second-half goals to extend their unbeaten run to eight Premier League matches. 

How the match unfolded

Jurgen Klopp made two changes from the side that beat Fulham 2-1 in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg, with Alisson and Nunez returning, while Conor Bradley retained his spot to make his Premier League debut.

As for Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola handed a first Premier League start to defender James Hill, while Chris Mepham returned to the starting XI for the first time since October. 

In a keenly-fought first half of few clear-cut chances, Luis Diaz and Nunez had long-range efforts comfortably saved by Neto, while at the other end, Dominic Solanke was unable to get a touch to Justin Kluivert’s ball across goal just before half-time. 

Liverpool started the second half brightly, and opened the scoring in the 49th minute through Nunez. 

A crossfield pass by Ibrahima Konate was brought down by Curtis Jones, who fizzed the ball forward to Jota.

The Portuguese played a perfectly-weighted pass to Nunez, who swept first-time into the bottom-right corner to round off a superb move and score the 100th goal of his senior career for club and country.

Bradley twice came close to scoring a debut goal as Liverpool grew in confidence, flashing a header wide before his powerful long-range strike was saved by Neto.

The Reds claimed a deserved second goal in the 70th minute following a counter-attack, with substitute Cody Gakpo playing in Jota, who drilled a near-post shot past Neto.

Jota grabbed his second goal with nine minutes remaining, firing in at the second attempt after mishitting his first shot.

Bournemouth substitute David Brooks was unable to pull a goal back as he failed to make the most of a 1v1 before Liverpool added a fourth goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time.

Joe Gomez’s cross to the back post was superbly finished by Nunez for his seventh Premier League goal of the season.

Nunez becomes the first Premier League player to register at least 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season.

Back-to-back defeats leave Bournemouth in 12th on 25 points. 

Bournemouth report | Liverpool report

Match officials 

Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Simon Bennett, Nick Hopton. Fourth official: Graham Scott. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.