Impressive defence seals solid start at Liverpool for Iraola

It was third time lucky for Alexander Isak after a wayward first-half effort and a second-half cross that ballooned over the bar to much amusement from the home crowd, but Liverpool 's win at Bournemouth was built as much on their increasingly solid defence.

The Swedish forward took his fourth goal this season well and the chants of "Isak's a Red" from the travelling supporters, long after the final whistle, told you all you needed to know.

Yet it is the lack of goals Liverpool are conceding that really deserves highlighting. They were far from perfect on Andoni Iraola's Cherries return but were solid defensively.

His side have now kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League - the first time Liverpool have done so since September 2024 - and did not give up an xG of more than 0.76 in any of those.

For all the talk of a front three who all cost in excess of £100m, Liverpool are becoming a harder side to beat under Iraola.

"The more times they play together, the more solid the defensive line becomes," said Iraola, whose side remain unbeaten in all competitions.

"Virgil [van Dijk], Jeremy [Jacquet], Ronald [Araujo] and Milos [Kerkez] - they're getting the connections and becoming more solid."

Two reliable campaigners, goalkeeper Alisson and centre-back Van Dijk, were superb, with Alisson making a great first-half save to deny Evanilson.