Liverpool beat Bournemouth 1-0 on Sunday to maintain its unbeaten start to the Premier League season and the UK's national media were on hand to provide their verdicts
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Alisson Becker of Liverpool in action during the Premier League 2026/27 match between AFC Bournemouth and Liverpool FC at Vitality Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Alisson Becker has been praised for his performance in Liverpool's win over Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool heads into the international break unbeaten after its 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday stretched its undefeated run to seven games.
Alexander Isak's second-half strike proved decisive for Andoni Iraola on his return to the Vitality Stadium as Liverpool claimed just its second Premier League win under its new head coach. The Reds now face a three-week wait before welcoming Manchester City to Anfield, with their players heading off to represent their countries during the international break.
Liverpool.com was present on the south coast on Sunday, delivering its usual blend of match-day coverage, including match verdict, player ratings, on-the-whistle reaction, and Iraola's post-match thoughts.
The UK's national media representatives were also in attendance to cast their eye over proceedings. Here is what they had to say.
The Daily Mail's Lewis Steele writes: "Andoni Iraola toasted to a happy homecoming – and then prepared to jet off on his holidays knowing his work-in-progress Liverpool side are heading in the right direction, slowly but surely.
"It would be wrong to say the Reds' victory at Iraola's old stamping ground Bournemouth was thoroughly deserved or even convincing but as the new boss takes stock over the international break, he will have more positives than negatives to evaluate.
"Match-winner Alexander Isak is finally showing the sharpness and attacking efficiency the Anfield top brass thought they were paying £125million for a year or so ago, while other new signings are settling and previous sub-par performers look back to their best.
Alexander Isak celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Bournemouth.
Alexander Isak celebrates scoring for Liverpool against Bournemouth.(Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
"It was Isak's second-half strike that helped Liverpool on their way to their second league victory of the new era and ensured the three-week break from Premier League can be enjoyed knowing they are still unbeaten.
"This was not the perfect afternoon by any stretch and the result probably glosses over the fact that, like last Saturday's goalless draw with Fulham, Iraola's side did demonstrate several frailties and areas to improve."
On The Telegraph's pages, Dominic King scribes: "Andoni Iraola spun on his heels, turned his back to the action and began to bite his nails. Managers often envisage the worst outcome when the clock ticks down, and here, in the 93rd minute, Bournemouth had a corner.
"He needn't have worried. As the set-piece was swung in, Alisson Becker moved powerfully off his line and plucked the ball from the air, a catch that essentially confirmed Liverpool would leave Dorset with three points. It was a catch, too, that put the gloss on another impeccable personal afternoon.
Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson Becker (C) makes a save during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Alisson Becker makes a save during Liverpool's win over Bournemouth
"When Iraola took charge at Anfield, one question he had to answer – given Bournemouth had conceded 167 goals in his three years in charge – was whether he could make Liverpool defensively resilient. This dour 1-0 success, though, proves he is taking them in the right direction: he is the first Liverpool manager since Joe Fagan in 1983 to start with five unbeaten league games.
"Alexander Isak might have scored the goal that leaves Bournemouth winless in the Premier League but this success owed everything to Alisson's enduring brilliance – a comment that also applies to Virgil van Dijk – the enormous promise of Jeremy Jacquet and the grit of Ronald Araujo.
"You go to top level football matches hoping to see something that will take your breath away and how Alisson did that in the 17th minute with a reflex save from an Evanilson backheel, the shape of his body resembling a fielder in the slips diving to prevent a boundary."
The Mirror's Nathan Ridley writes: "It's now four Premier League goals for Alexander Isak - all made by Cody Gakpo. Although the Dutchman didn't get the official assist this time, it was his driving run down the right wing which created the chance for Isak.
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"James Hill did his best to cut out the cross under pressure from Wirtz, but the Bournemouth defender couldn't get enough on it. The ball fell kindly to Isak, who made no mistake to break the deadlock.
"The goal begged the question: where would Liverpool be this season without Gakpo? The 27-year-old's future was uncertain until the dying embers of the summer transfer window, with both Tottenham and Manchester City interested, and he's proving that he was worth keeping."
And over on The Times, James Gheerbrant reflects: "The cross came in from the right, nicely hit on the run by Cody Gakpo after a forging run along the touchline. The three players in white shirts attacking it were three of the seven most expensive signings in Premier League history, a trio with a combined cost of £364million. Bradley Barcola, drifting in from the left, didn't have a play on it, but Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz both did.
"For the previous 56 minutes of this match, Wirtz and Isak between them had a woefully ineffective game. They had created very little in the way of attacking link-up (bar one back-to-goal touch from Wirtz to set up an Isak long shot) and nothing from the high press.
Florian Wirtz during Liverpool's win over Bournemouth
Florian Wirtz during Liverpool's win over Bournemouth(Image: (Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images))
"Wirtz had misplaced a couple of simple passes, let one ball roll straight out of play, and been given a roasting from Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports commentary. Isak had, a few seconds before, delivered one of the most dreadful crosses you will see all season, a wildly overhit effort which flew miles over the penalty area and behind for a goalkick.
"When Gakpo's cross came in, Wirtz, a couple of yards in front of his team-mate, was the one to read the flight and meet it as it bounced. He was goalside of James Hill, the covering defender, who lunged in front of him but couldn't beat him to the cross.
"Instead of attempting a simple finish, Wirtz slightly overran the ball and ended up trying one of those difficult flicks with his back leg. He didn't make contact, the ball hit Hill on the back instead and looped up into the air, and Isak, taking it first time, buried it past Djordje Petrovic.
"And that, really, was the difference between the two of them in this match. Isak didn't really show much more chemistry with his team-mates than Wirtz, or offer a lot of moments of good hold-up play, or make a lot of great runs. But when the crucial moment came, Isak took it, and Wirtz didn't.
"And after that Isak had four goals in five Premier League games this season and an away section belting out 'Isak is a Red', and Wirtz still had zero goals (and one assist) this season and none of the fans much minded when he was replaced by Trey Nyoni 14 minutes later."