Liverpool

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has praised fellow centre-back Jeremy Jacquet's "excellent start" to life at Anfield but warned that "we are only in September".

"I want him to keep working and keep learning. I am sure he will," said Van Dijk after the 21-year-old summer signing put in another impressive display in Sunday's 1-0 win at Bournemouth.

"There is obviously a lot of praise and rightly so, but I know how it works when you play a game not at the standards you have set. So let's just stay calm, keep working, and try to stay important for us.

"It [the partnership] is still a work in progress. There are still things we can improve but you learn by playing games. I said at the start that you experience things in games and see how each other react to certain moments, and then you adapt to that.

"So far, it is good. He is 21 years old and very promising, but it is up to him to keep working hard and staying calm. It's a big credit to him how he started his Liverpool career, but we are in September. Hopefully there are years of his Liverpool career left."

Sunday's result at Vitality Stadium means the Reds have kept three straight clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since 2024.

"Clean sheets are always a good sign. Everyone is playing a big part in that," Van Dijk added.

"I know how sometimes it can work, where maybe only the defenders or the goalkeeper get the plaudits for it, but it is down to everyone. The guys up front and the midfielders put in the hard work, and it is a great base to build on."

Hit play below to hear more from Van Dijk or listen on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Derek: Very poor game management. Subs on too late and too many Championship players on the bench.

Tez: Maybe it was time to give the squad a go. We looked tired. No zip in passing or our usual energy. Missed Justin Kluivert. Late subs gave no chance of a comeback but didn't feel Liverpool were a big threat either. Well done, Iraola - nice to see you. Must have been strange in opposite changing rooms and dugouts. Onwards and upwards.

Mike: Bournemouth need to buy in January. The team is small and lacking in quality. Marco Rose's tactics and style of play is not what was expressed before he joined. His attacking style is weak and the team is sloppy. Bournemouth needs to have some replacement managers in the line-up, I don't see Marco working out.

Bob: Once again, lots of running, mostly to no avail. When down, attempting to win by effort alone is not successful. Calm heads and experience are required to steady the team and come again. At the moment, both are missing.

Liverpool fans

Robbie: Taking a bit of getting going, but understandable with new boss trying to sort out last season's problems. Florian Wirtz - another poor performance.. On plus side, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak linked up again, and defence has improved. Slow signs of improvement... still unbeaten, but hard program ahead after the international break.

David: I would have taken the 0-1 before a ball was kicked. Always going to be a hard game for a lot of reasons. Liverpool still not clicking in certain areas, some combinations not working with the system we are trying to implement. Need to move the ball quicker and slicker. More training ground time for everyone to get it working together.

Ian: A scrappy affair with too many underachievers, with the exception of Jeremy Jacquet, who was once again outstanding. Isak scored the goal but the rest of his performance was dire. Why Liverpool persevere with Wirtz is a mystery because once again he was woeful. I lost count of how many wayward passes there were all over the pitch. I feel sorry for Iraola, he's got a near-impossible job on his hands to shape this squad of misfits into a team that can challenge for silverware.

Tony: Not enough chances created in the final-third. Got the job done in the end and are improving slowly. Good boost for confidence before the international break.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk insists he is "focusing on the "present" and there is "nothing to report" when it comes to his Anfield contract.

The 35-year-old's deal expires at the end of this season and it remains to be seen whether the centre-back, who joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018, will be offered an extension or he will choose to move on.

Van Dijk has played every minute of Liverpool's Premier League campaign so farand said his side have "not had a bad start" under new boss Andoni Iraola.

The Reds are unbeaten in seven games this season and go into the international break sixth in the table after two wins and three draws in the league.

Speaking after Sunday's 1-0 win at Bournemouth, Van Dijk said: "Any manager that comes to a new environment and a new club needs a bit of time, and the same goes with players.

"We work a lot, almost every day, and hopefully it works sooner rather than later. It is down to us to get results. At a club like Liverpool, you don't have a lot of time to get results so you have to get the points on the board.

"We've not had a bad start - we could have done better in a couple of games, but we are where we are. On to the next."

Van Dijk will now head off on international duty after holding positive talks about his Netherlands future with new manager Xavi, who was at Anfield to watch Liverpool's Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid earlier this month.

The Reds host Manchester City after the three-week hiatus (16:30 BST on 11 October).

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Andoni Iraola was business-like on his return to Bournemouth, saying pre-match the time for talk would be after the game.

He cut a frustrated figure for much of the encounter as Liverpool struggled to get a hold on the game, but they improved after the break and deserved the win, according to their boss.

With nine points from a possible 15 in the Premier League and wins at Anfield in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, Iraola has had a largely positive start to life at Liverpool.

The 44-year-old is the first manager to remain unbeaten in his first five league games in charge of the Reds - winning two and drawing three - since Joe Fagan in September 1983.

"Overall, we have definitely improved since the first games," he said. "Some of the things we still need to improve. I'm happy that it is the third league clean sheet in the row.

"It was a difficult game. You never play comfortable here - Bournemouth do not allow you to play comfortably, they put you under pressure and you have to adapt to win these kind of games."

The need to adapt and find ways to win games was also stressed after last week's goalless draw against Fulham - but Iraola's side are learning.

"The schedule we have now is very difficult," he added.

"I think we play against the top four teams, then in between there is Champions League and Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. It's every two or three days so we have to be ready because this month after the break is very demanding for us."

After the international break, Iraola will also need more from his attackers. Cody Gakpo was impressive again but Florian Wirtz struggled and Bradley Barcola is still awaiting his first goal or assist for Liverpool.

"It was a slow start but after the first phase Florian helped us to improve and I am much happier with his performance in the second half," said Iraola of the Germany international.

On matchwinner Alexander Isak, he added: "A striker's job is like this. He had a couple of crosses that he did not hit properly or control, but in the end he has to help us to be closer to the box, to play in the opposition's half and have more meaningful possession.

"If the team is playing there, he will receive rewards in terms of goal."

Read more here

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was "delighted" with the Reds' 1-0 victory and clean sheet against Bournemouth because the team "had to fight a lot".

The Brazilian conceded five goals in Andoni Iraola's first five competitive games as Liverpool boss, four of which were in the first two.

Alisson added that the side were "ready" to face the Cherries and that with Iraola's expertise they knew "what to expect" when they visited Vitality Stadium.

"He knows everything about them. It is a big part of why Bournemouth has been so good in the past [few] years," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It is not an advantage, but it is something that helps. That is why we had the mentality in the second half to improve our performance.

"We had to fight a lot, but I am really, really happy that we got the three points at the end and the clean sheet, even if the performance wasn't clean."

Signed by Jurgen Klopp in 2018, the 33-year-old has now played under three Liverpool managers and believes the Reds have the right qualities to succeed under Iraola.

"It always takes time. When one thing changes, you need time to adapt, but this is a big change," Alisson added.

"We are still not at the level that is required for a team to fight for big things, but we have the qualities. We have everything, but we just need to put it into practice.

"Sometimes we are not going to play a clean game, but all you want is a win."

During the international break, Alisson will travel with Brazil to Australia to face the Socceroos in two international friendlies, and then Carlo Ancelotti's side will travel to Kolkata to face India.

Hit play above to hear more from Alisson or listen on BBC Sounds here

Liverpool have held initial talks with Monaco and Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara, 22, over a potential January move. (Caughtoffside), external

Liverpool, Manchester City, Fulham, and Tottenham are among several Premier League clubs monitoring 24-year-old Venezuela and Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Match of the Day pundit Rob Edwards says Liverpool's Alexander Isak is playing with greater "confidence" after scoring four goals this season - one more than he managed in the whole of last season.

Liverpool starting XI:

Alisson: Made a great reaction save to deny Evanilson and was authoritative throughout. Integral to a crucial Liverpool clean sheet. 7

Ronald Araujo: Looks comfortable defensively at right-back and has had a solid start to life at Liverpool, but didn't do much going forward. 6

Jeremy Jacquet: Another composed display. Made a naive challenge early on to foul Evanilson but responded well and made some great tackles. Good in possession too. Can look forward to joining up with France. 8

Virgil van Dijk: Solid again. Ensured Liverpool weren't punished for a poor first half in attack and continues to be one of their most reliable players. 7

Milos Kerkez: One of three Liverpool changes from their goalless draw at Fulham. Struggled initially and was regularly targeted with the crossfield ball over his head but can't fault him for his effort. Battled throughout. 6

Alexis Mac Allister: Did well to find space in midfield to open the game up after a slow start. Has had a positive start to life under Andoni Iraola. 6

Dominik Szoboszlai: Played with a real purpose. Had a free-kick that went just wide in the first half and was booked just after half-time but a typical Szoboszlai performance - bar a goal from outside the box. 6

Cody Gakpo: Started down the right flank and it was his quality that helped make Isak's goal as he charged down the right and put in a dangerous ball that was ultimately converted by Alexander Isak. 7

Florian Wirtz: Another day when the German struggled, though he deserves credit for playing a part in the goal. His attempt was blocked by James Hill and fell into the path of Isak. Has to do more. 5

Bradley Barcola: Threatened in phases with a deflected shot saved in the first half. It's still early days but Liverpool want more from their marquee summer signing. 6

Alexander Isak: Had such a poor game initially with a wayward effort and cross that ballooned into the stands but, like a true striker, he was in the right place at the right time and made no mistake with his finish. Already scored more Premier League goals than he did last season. 7

Liverpool substitutes:

Munoz (on 72, Barcola): 5

Nyoni (on 72, Wirtz): 5

Gravenberch (on 81, Szoboszlai)

Koumas (on 81, Isak)

Subs not used:

Mamardashvili, Gomez, Tsimikas, Frimpong, Ngumoha.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola speaking to BBC Sport: "For us the result is very good. It is a difficult place to come. We could feel in the beginning of the game how intense they were and we were not winning the duels. Second half we played better, they were a little bit tired and we could finish the job.

"I wasn't happy with the first half, honestly. The first 20 minutes they were putting us under pressure. We were not comfortable. Towards the end of the first half and in the second half we found better positions on the ball."

On Jeremy Jacquet: "Happy for him, he has helped us in this defensive side with a third clean sheet in a row. I am very happy for him to get his international call-up. He is showing composure and confidence and we are happy."

Listen to Iraola speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside here

Did you know?

• Liverpool have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since September 2024 (four in a row).

• Andoni Iraola is the first manager to remain unbeaten in his first five league games in charge of Liverpool (won two, drawn three) since Joe Fagan in September 1983.

• In five games this season (four goals), Liverpool's Alexander Isak has already surpassed his Premier League goal tally for the entirety of last season in the competition (three goals in 14 apps).

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool go into the three-week break having won back-to-back Premier League away games, while they have now kept three top-flight clean sheets in a row in a single season for the first time since the opening three games of 2024-25 - when they went on to win the title in Arne Slot's first season.

In addition, they have won four of their last five games in all competitions.

Sounds good, doesn't it?

Yet this was far from a fluent Liverpool performance and the Reds, whose next game is against leaders Manchester City on 11 October, remain a work in progress despite extending their unbeaten start under Iraola.

They struggled to impose themselves against opponents who travelled to northern Spain to play Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday.

It took 33 minutes before Liverpool registered a first attempt on target while it was another 11 minutes before they won a first corner.

At least Alexander Isak is starting to show some form.

The £125m signing has already scored more top-flight goals than last season, while the defensive partnership between Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet is showing promise.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leeds United v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Manchester City v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Fulham v Manchester United (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated.

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I am not convinced by Liverpool at all after covering them for BBC Radio 5 Live last weekend - I thought Fulham were the better side in their 0-0 draw at Anfield.

Andoni Iraola's side did not flow in the final third, certainly not in the way his Bournemouth team did last season.

I don't think the Reds players are quite in sync with what Iraola is asking them to do in terms of their press either, and Fulham played through them with ease at times.

Marco Rose is an attacking manager so if Liverpool don't buck their ideas up then Bournemouth are going to do the same, and Iraola could end up losing on his return to his former club.

The one thing in Iraola's favour is that Bournemouth seem to be finding a way to draw games they should win, so that is the result I am going with, even though though I quite fancy the Cherries to take all three points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 BST), with Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola returning to former club Bournemouth.

Rose still waiting for first win

Bournemouth's 2-2 draw with Brentford followed a frustratingly familiar pattern for head coach Marco Rose, who remains without a Premier League win.

His side came from behind to lead 2-1, but an error by goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic gifted the Londoners an equaliser as the Cherries made unwanted history. They are the first team to have led in each of their opening four matches of a Premier League season without winning any of them.

Bournemouth have also drawn half of their top-flight games since the start of last season (21 of 42) and have dropped a league-high 31 points from winning positions during that period.

Nevertheless, Rose focused on the positives afterwards, highlighting that his side had 10 shots on target to Brentford's two.

Their performances suggest a first victory won't be far away, but the Cherries have failed to win any of their opening five top-flight matches twice before, doing so under Eddie Howe in 2017-18 and during Iraola's first season in charge in 2023-24.

Iraola back in Bournemouth

Iraola became something of a draw specialist during his final season at Bournemouth, and that trait has continued at Liverpool, with the Reds sharing the points in three of their opening four league matches, including both home games.

However, few recent managers have started their Anfield reigns in truly convincing fashion. Although predecessor Arne Slot had three more points at the same stage, Iraola is the first Liverpool boss this century to remain unbeaten in his opening four Premier League matches.

He can also take some confidence from back-to-back top-flight clean sheets, given Liverpool had managed only one shutout in their previous 13 matches.

Iraola guided Bournemouth to a 3-2 victory when the sides met at Vitality Stadium in January, but Liverpool have generally dominated this fixture.

The Reds have won 14 of 18 Premier League meetings with the Cherries, scoring 54 goals. Their average of three goals per game is their highest against any opponent they have faced at least 10 times in the competition.

Aadam Patel
Liverpool reporter

Alexander Isak says joining Liverpool last summer was an "easy decision".

The Sweden striker arrived from Newcastle on transfer deadline day in September 2025 for a British record transfer fee of £125m.

"[Liverpool] is a massive club, and everything about the club made it pretty clear," he told BBC Sport's The Football Interview.

"And the club's ambition and the club's will to get me in as well, it was a big part of it."

Isak missed pre-season for Newcastle last summer and trained at his former club Real Sociedad amid uncertainty around his future with the Magpies, saying promises made to him there had been "broken".

However, he struggled for goals in his first season at Anfield before a leg break ruled him out from December until April this year.

This campaign, the 26-year-old has already matched last term's tally of three Premier League goals, after only four games.

Asked if there was ever a point last season when he regretted the move, Isak replied: "No, never. I would never think like that."

He added: "[The leg break] was tough. Anyone who had a long injury would know. But on the other hand, when you're in a good place and when you feel good, you don't really tend to look back because it doesn't really benefit you."

New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola, who replaced Arne Slot in the summer, has told Isak that he wants him to defend from the front as it is an "attacking weapon" for the Reds.

On the style of football since Iraola joined, Isak said: "I think that's what the team needs. It's not just about getting the ball to me, it's about getting the ball forward and to all of the offensive players quickly.

"I think that will benefit the team. I think if we can do that then we should score more goals."

And Isak, who has 60 Premier League goals to his name, is determined to help bring silverware to Liverpool this year but insisted he is not someone who sets personal targets.

His most prolific Premier League season came with Newcastle in 2024-25 when he scored 23 goals.

"Everyone knows that success for this club is winning trophies," said Isak. "I want to score every game. Everyone is different. Some like to set targets and some don't. I'm the one that doesn't."

Read more from Isak here

And listen to the interview in full by hitting play below or on BBC Sounds here

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Andoni Iraola's preference is to name the team on the morning of the game and he saves the post-match debrief with his players for the day after the match.

There is a sense of pragmatism with his media interactions, too, after a situation where his comments to LFC TV following a pre-season friendly against Monaco were widely reported.

Iraola conceded Liverpool had run out of steam after 30 minutes and did not have the energy levels at the time to play with the intensity that he wants. It wasn't meant to be a dig at his players - rather an admittance that they were working on building that intensity up.

But there is a realisation that at a club like Liverpool, every word you say can end up shared across social media and taken in a different way than you meant. That said, Iraola comes across as calm in his news conferences and open to discussion.

It is very much a case of Iraola adapting to the club as much as the other way round.

One of the main reasons they went for Iraola was his ability to develop young talent and the average age of Liverpool's players in the Premier League this season is 25.3 - only five teams have a lower average.

Youngsters like Rio Ngumoha, 18, Trey Nyoni, 19, and Lewis Koumas, 20, all started against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup and all three will play bigger roles this season than last.

Intensity is a buzzword under Iraola and that is a non-negotiable but he is already aware that, with such a brutal schedule, Liverpool will need to find ways to adapt and occasionally win games with a set-piece or an individual moment of brilliance.

Going into this weekend, they have made the most sprints in the Premier League but looked flat against Fulham last weekend in a goalless draw, less than 72 hours after beating Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Sunday's game against Bournemouth will be a fourth in 12 days and, after the international break, Liverpool have a spell of four games in 10 days. Between 11 October and 7 November, they will play nine times.

Iraola would no doubt have had a smile seeing Bournemouth win on their Europa League bow against Real Sociedad on Thursday, in the Basque region where he grew up.

Perhaps he will have a moment on the flight down from Liverpool on Saturday to think about how far he has come.

Liverpool haven't exactly had a dream start under Iraola but they are yet to lose. Becoming a team that is hard to beat is undoubtedly a step in the right direction after 12 league losses last term, but as vice-captain Alisson said last week, draws aren't good enough for Liverpool.

And Iraola, who is unbeaten in the Premier League since January across his two clubs, knows that a win on familiar territory on Sunday would be the perfect way to head into the international break.

Read more here