Jurgen Klopp made ten changes to the team that famously beat Borussia Dortmund on Thursday night - and his side were victors again
Daniel Sturridge served notice to Jurgen Klopp and Roy Hodgson that he will not be kept out of the starting line-up without a fight.
Liverpool’s England striker made the first for Roberto Firmino, headed the other and hit the post twice as the Reds ran riot.
The victory capped a momentous week for the Reds who produced that momentous display to sink Borussia Dortmund and reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Liverpool now move up to seventh in the Premier League with a game in hand on both West Ham and Manchester United above them.
Divock Origi led the line impressively before Sturridge’s introduction against Dortmund.
But Sturridge showed an impressive response to being named in effectively a reserve side showing ten changes here against Bournemouth.
The former Chelsea striker was at the heart of Liverpool’s productivity and set up the first on 41 minutes. His back-heel, from Jordan Ibe’s pass, was saved by Artur Boruc.
Firmino pounced on the back post to turn the ball home.
Sturridge increased the advantage four minutes later when he headed Ibe’s free-kick into the bottom corner.
He should have made it 3-0 eight minutes after the break when he chipped Boruc from close range. But as Sturridge wheeled away to celebrate the ball hit the post.
He was denied a second time with minutes remaining, when he turned in the box and fired a first-time effort against the upright with Boruc rooted to the spot.
Again it rebounded to safety.
Joshua King scored a late consolation, but it mattered little. Bournemouth were well beaten. Everton will provide a far tougher test this week in the Merseyside derby.
1) The Europa League now takes priority for Jurgen Klopp
Of course, after such a tough, dramatic night at Anfield, you’d expect a few of the players that beat Dortmund to sit this one out.
Ten changes, however - with even keeper Simon Mignolet rested - suggests Klopp sees the Europa League as more realistic than bridging that ten-point gap between Liverpool and the teams in the top four.
2) Desperate Dan
Daniel Sturridge up front here would appear to be an indicator of the England striker’s place in the Anfield pecking order.
While Divock Origi started, scored and impressed against Dortmund on Thursday night, Sturridge is now in the reserves and has yet to convince Klopp that he is the man for the long term at Liverpool.
3) Sheyi Ojo could provide a bit of x-factor for Klopp next season
The young right-winger has impressed recently and produced another couple of skillful moments to light up this affair. Not least when he ghosted past two Bournemouth players in the box before his shot was blocked.
They like him up at Anfield and it is easy to see why.
4) Bournemouth’s fantastic achievement continues to remain under the radar
Which is just the way they like it, so that they can hold on to the Eddie Howe, the man central to another season in the Premier League.
It will be interesting to see just how Bournemouth do next season, boosted by the Premier League riches, with even better players.
But the tiny south coast club that many expected to struggle in the top flight deserve huge credit for defying their doubters.
5) Bournemouth need to remember next season that the small clubs don’t get the big decisions
Back in August the Premier League admitted that referee Craig Pawson had booked in allowing a Christian Benteke winner to stand.
Here Bournemouth had two penalties denied them after Lucas handled in the first half and Kolo Toure handled under pressure in the second.
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