Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola enjoyed a victorious return to Bournemouth as his team closed out the international break with a narrow win at Vitality Stadium.
Alexander Isak’s fourth Premier League goal this season decided a poor match and left the Cherries still chasing their first top-flight victory of the campaign as October approaches.
The Sweden forward slotted in from close range following a determined run by Cody Gakpo, which finished with a ball into the box that Bournemouth could not clear.
After running over to celebrate with Liverpool’s travelling supporters, Isak was mobbed by them and was shown a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver.
Iraola, who had guided Bournemouth to European qualification for the first time before departing to manage Liverpool in the summer, was warmly welcomed back by the Cherries fans.
Yet he seemed set for a frustrating afternoon in Dorset until Isak struck in the 57th minute.
Until that point, Bournemouth had come closest to scoring when Evanilson flicked the ball in the 18th minute, forcing Alisson to tip it behind for a corner.
At the opposite end, Florian Wirtz blazed an effort over the bar from close range, an attempt that was flagged offside even though replays showed he was actually onside.
In the meantime, costly summer recruit Bradley Barcola made Djordje Petrovic save with his legs, while Dominik Szoboszlai’s dipping 25-yard free-kick fell just wide.
Liverpool move up to sixth with nine points from five matches, whereas Bournemouth sit on three points from five games and slip to 17th.
