Liverpool moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to a comprehensive 4-0 victory away to Bournemouth. Man CIty are 1 match behind, however with an opportunity to close the gap to 2 points.
First Half
It was certainly an uneventful first half but one that Bournemouth started strongly.
Dominating possession in the opening minutes of the game, they managed to close down Liverpool well and find themselves in the box of their opposition.
However, as the game grew, Liverpool inevitably began controlling the game and possession with Alexis Mac Allister dictating play from his new number six role.
Despite having much of the ball, Jürgen Klopp's side were unable to create much, with the chemistry of the midfield and attack not looking seamless with various absentees due to injury and international duty.
Neither goalkeeper was tested in the opening 45 minutes, leaving Liverpool with work to do in the second half if they wanted to increase their lead at the top of the table
Second Half
It must have been a rousing second-half team-talk from Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool made an instant impact with Ibrahima Konaté's cross-field pass found Curtis Jones who played it into Diogo Jota with the Portuguese forward unselfishly passing it to Darwin Núñez who clinically dispatched it past Norberto Neto.
It was a tremendous pass start to the second half as Liverpool began purring, going close multiple times with Conor Bradley almost getting his first goal in red but his header was mistimed and instead went out for a corner.
With 25 minutes to go, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch were introduced and the 24-year-old was a substitution well made as his pinpoint pass to Jota laid the ball on a plate for him as he struck it past Neto to double Liverpool's lead.
It was the fifth goal in eight games for the 27-year-old who wasn't finished for the game as just 10 minutes later, he found himself unmarked in the box and initially snatched at the ball which was passed by Bradley but his scuff allowed him a second opportunity to shoot and he got it right the second time by burying the ball in Neto's far post.
A 3-0 lead and a brace for Jota seemed like a job well done but Liverpool werent done yet as Joe Gomez's sumptuous cross in stoppage time found Núñez who managed to stick out a leg and guide the ball in the inside of the post to earn Liverpool a huge 4-0 victory.
LFC Globe Verdict
Despite a difficult first half, Liverpool came out a completely different team in the second half and showed just how devastating they can be.
Diogo Jota's finishing is a massive instrument for the team, especially with the absence of Mohamed Salah and with Darwin Núñez back amongst the goals, the confidence of the Uruguyuan will be sky-high ahead of a huge week for the club.
Man Of The Match And What's Next?
There were certainly many contenders but I'd have to go for Alexis Mac Allister.
The midfielder was the silent beating heart of the Liverpool team today and was incredible on both sides of the ball.
Not only was he tenacious in the tackle and stopped various Bournemouth attacks but his passing was remarkable and managed to find pockets of space that most players just aren't able to do.
In the absence of Wataru Endō who made that number six role his own, Mac Allister produced his best performance in a red shirt in a massive win that put the team five points clear in the Premier League.
An opportunity to clinch a return to Wembley now beckons for Liverpool who take on Fulham at Craven Cottage in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on January 28th at 20:00 (UK time).