Liverpool produced an electric attacking display to beat Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon and return to the Premier League's top four.
Forwards Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were all on the scoresheet and there was also a goal for defender Dejan Lovren on the South coast.
© Offside
These two sides put on a seven-goal thriller last season, in which Bournemouth came from behind to win 4-3, and it was clear from the off that this would be another open game.
Coutinho struck the outside of the post on 12 minutes with a delicate free kick, but the woodwork could not save the Cherries from the Brazilian's brilliance eight minutes later.
A one-two with Andrew Robertson set Coutinho free to run at the Bournemouth defence and he skilfully left Simon Francis and Lewis Cook in his wake before squeezing a shot into the bottom corner.
© Offside
Firmino's perseverance earned Liverpool a second shortly after as he kept a corner alive at the back post, hooking the ball back into the danger area for Lovren to head home while Bournemouth's defence stood still.
The half-time complexion of the match could have been very different had Jermain Defoe not missed Bournemouth's golden chance when striking the post from Jordon Ibe's through-pass.
Five minutes later, Liverpool were three up through Salah's 20th goal of the season - a landmark not reached by any Reds player since 2014.
Asmir Begovic had saved at point-blank range from the Egyptian minutes earlier, after a delightful give-and-go with Coutinho, but was beaten by a Salah poke at the end of a mazy run inside the box.
© Offside
There was no sign of the Cherries repeating their memorable comeback from last season's corresponding fixture as they created very little and struggled to contain a Liverpool side who were in full flow.
The post saved them again when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pinched the ball from ex-Reds winger Ibe and drove into the box, only to lack composure with a left-footed shot which hit the frame of the goal.
© Offside
Liverpool did get a fourth on 66 minutes when Firmino stooped to head Coutinho's cross beyond Begovic.
Jurgen Klopp had the luxury of substituting three of his goalscorers in the final 20 minutes ahead of Friday's trip to Arsenal.
The Reds are now one point and one place above the Gunners, while Bournemouth remain 16th in the table after a sixth game without victory.
Joe Fish
