Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool: Premier League – live reaction

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If Wirtz had his power and pace he’d be fine, but he doesn’t so he isn’t.86 min Gakpo’s put in a shift today, out of position but creating the goal nonetheless, and he shows good feet to win a corner … which comes to nowt. But he’s not getting the ball early enough, and the runners aren’t helping him either, nor is he helping himself.48 min “Based only on the evidence of this match,” says Alexander Whitney, “I see nothing about Wirtz to suggest he’s finally coming good this season.

It doesn’t look good, I’m afraid, but he’s still a lovely footballer – he just needs a less intense environment.47 min Bournemouth win a free-kick out on the left, Tavernier mishitting one that sings out and has Alisson briefly swallowing his insides as he backpeddles, wondering if it’s hitting the far top corner … but there’s too much on it.46 min We go again, no changes to either side.HALF-TIME: Bournemouth 0-0 LiverpoolThe ref adds on no time and I’m not surprised; no one needs any more of that. He’s made an excellent start to his Liverpool career – he looks a player.34 min This time he tries the knuckle-ball, the shot scooting low past the near post.33 min Liverpool find Barcola down the left and he cuts inside to open a shooting lane, Petkovic diving by and having to save with his legs, then Wirtz and Gakpo both shoot in the follow-up, various bodies hurled in front to block.

Gakpo asks questions of people’s patience.28 min On Barcola, though, I like him, but I wonder if he’s really a £120m player. He’s got room to improve, but I bet PSG were delighted to accept a fee of that magnitude for a player not a first choice.27 min Ball slide in behind for Barcola and up goes the flag – though I think he was on.26 min But Liverpool do look to build pressure, knocking the ball about in the Bournemouth half but without tempo.