Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool: Premier League – as it happened
Alexander Isak’s second-half goal was enough to give Liverpool the points in a disappointing game, taking them up to sixth in the table; Bournemouth are 17th
4.08pm BST
Aha, our match report is here…
Related: Alexander Isak edges Liverpool to victory on Iraola’s return to Bournemouth
…which means that’s it from me. Thanks for all your company and comments; peace out and if you’re (not) partaking, well over the fast.
4.07pm BST
“I don’t think Wirtz is a luxury player per se,” says Maximilian Sanderson, “because his current best trait is how hard he works, both in the press and in creating space for Isak/Gakpo/Barcola. But yeah, paying £100m for a hardworking Raumdeuter, as was once said of Thomas Müller (who was better than Wirtz in that aspect, to be fair) is certainly a luxury. I personally hope that Wirtz will grow into that role. Ideally he could end up being a Firmino-esque (emphasis on the esque!) player for Liverpool, providing the connective tissue for other pacier, more direct attackers. But I’ll admit he’s got a long way to go until then. Bobby never lost possession as much, for starters.”
I agree he scores goals. But he is a luxury player. His overall contribution does not match the hope that he will do something game-changing, since he almost never does.
4.04pm BST
Premier League table 4.02pm BST
The match in Manchester has finally finished. City beat Sunderland 5-3. Enzo Maresca's team is top of the table, with five wins from five games.
4.00pm BST
I was hoping for much more from Rayan today who, especially in the absence of Kluivert, needed to give Bournemouth attacking edge. And I feel similarly about Scott, who showed his ability to carry the ball, but did almost nothing in dangerous areas and must develop his passing game to get the wingers early passes and to slide Evanilson in behind.
3.57pm BST
Join Taha Hashim for our 4.30pm kick-off…
Related: Fulham v Manchester United: Premier League – live
3.55pm BST
“Always good to see the Guardian journalists talking absolute nonsense about Wirtz, yet again,” says Sargnarg The Hardgharg.
“You lot always want a narrative that stirs people up, even if it ignores reality. The reality is that Wirtz is a fantastically talented player who’s form is patchy because he’s playing for a team who are under a new manager and severely short on collective confidence following the relative catastrophe that was last season.”
No one says Wirtz lacks talent. But try putting Bruno Fernandes into that same sentence, and see if the point still holds up. Fernandes has played poorly for more than a season and shows little sign of getting better. You can blame other factors if you want, but he is responsible for his own performances, which have been far below his best.
3.52pm BST
At Elland Road, the score is still Leeds 0-0 Crystal Palace. The match has now ended with that result.
3.51pm BST
FULL TIME: Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool. Liverpool have nine points from five games, which is a fair start to the season. Bournemouth have not won a match yet and are fourth from the bottom of the table.
Updated at 3.54pm BST
3.49pm BST
90+3 min Bournemouth win a corner down the right, Brooks to take, and he looks to go under the bar … Alisson collecting well. He’s commanded his box well today, but under little in the way of pressure.
3.49pm BST
90+2 min At City, Haaland, who misses a sitter earlier, has now scored against every team in the league, sliding in at the far post to settle things; his team lead Sunderland 5-3.
Updated at 3.52pm BST
3.48pm BST
90+1 min Evanilson gets away down the right and slams a cross to no one. Marco Rose will be really disappointed with how his team have played; Liverpool have had to do almost nothing to beat them, creating one chance to score one goal.
3.47pm BST
90 min We’ll have four additional minutes.
3.46pm BST
90 min Bournemouth win a free-kick just outside the D, just left of centre. Brooks and Scott are behind it and, they their team have attacked, this is a chance … which Scott lifts over the wall and wide.
3.45pm BST
88 min Two more changes for Bournemouth, Gannon-Doak and Toth for Adams and Rayan.
3.44pm BST
87 min: Oliver Losdka replies to your post: “Kevin de Bruyne anyone? It took him some time too. He’s a similar player. Just saying.”
I don’t agree with that. He came to Chelsea as a young player and met Mourinho there, but his physical strength is very different from Wirtz’s. He was a powerful runner, both with and without the ball, and when he returned to England, he played well right away. If Wirtz had his power and speed, he’d be fine. But he doesn’t, so he isn’t.
