Liverpool secured a 1-0 win away at Bournemouth on Sunday, with Alexander Isak’s second-half strike proving decisive at the Vitality Stadium.
The victory marked Andoni Iraola’s first return to his former club since leaving for Anfield, and he was greeted warmly before kick-off with a hug from his successor, Marco Rose.
The match started slowly, with just one shot on target from either side in the opening 45 minutes. Both goalkeepers were called upon, but neither team found a breakthrough before the break.
Liverpool finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute. Cody Gakpo battled down the right and delivered a cross intended for Florian Wirtz, who could not connect under pressure, but the ball fell to Isak, who swept it home for his fourth goal in five Premier League appearances this season.
Bournemouth pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way past Alisson Becker, who made key saves in both halves, including a punch away from Alex Scott’s free kick after Evanilson had tested him with just over 20 minutes remaining.
The result kept Liverpool unbeaten and sent them into the international break inside the top six.
One player with a personal connection to the occasion was Milos Kerkez, who played the full match at Bournemouth’s former home ground having come through the club before his move to Liverpool.
Kerkez marked his return to his old club with victory, though he later said the reception from the home supporters was not what he had expected.
The defender also appeared to be carrying a slight issue with his foot after the final whistle, prompting questions over his fitness ahead of Hungary’s upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Kerkez moved to clarify the situation himself, insisting there was nothing to prevent him joining up with the national team.
“It’s nothing serious. I pulled a little, I had to run a lot, and every match is very stressful, but there’s no serious problem,” Kerkez said, according to Hungarian outlet Magyar Nemzet.
Milos Kerkez has been named in Marco Rossi’s squad for Hungary’s Nations League matches against Ukraine, home and away, Northern Ireland and Georgia, played across the current international window.
He is joined in the group by Liverpool teammates Dominik Szoboszlai and Armin Pecsi.
His comments should ease any concern among Hungary supporters ahead of those fixtures, with the defender expected to link up with his international teammates as planned.
Liverpool will now break for the international period before returning to domestic action.
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