Isak lifts Liverpool in 'Iraola bowl'

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The game took time to spark into life, with both sides looking to avoid a fourth draw apiece, and it was Isak who proved the difference, turning in a blocked cross in the 57th minute.

Evanilson had forced a fine early stop out of Alisson Becker, but after going behind in the second half, Bournemouth struggled to find a way back in as their winless start to the Premier League continued.

Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to a 10th-minute free-kick, looking to bend his curling strike into the top-left corner, but he missed his target by inches.

Alisson was then called into action at the other end, getting down sharply to tip Evanilson's improvised backheel flick away from the bottom corner, cutting short celebrations from those behind the goal who thought it had snuck in.

Bradley Barcola came close to a first Liverpool goal as the Reds upped the pressure before the break. The Frenchman cut inside from the left and his low curler took a deflection, but a diving Djordje Petrovic kept it out with his legs.

Szoboszlai got another chance from a free-kick before the break, with this one bouncing narrowly wide before Isak ballooned a long-range effort high and wide.

Ryan Christie was Bournemouth's driving force in the second half, starting a move on halfway and continuing his run into the box after a one-two with Rayan, but he could only bundle wide under pressure.

Liverpool took the clear-cut opportunity that fell their way, though, as Cody Gakpo danced his way past challenges on the right wing. Florian Wirtz – under pressure from James Hill – missed it, but the block looped kindly for Isak to turn in just before the hour.

Bournemouth then had James Hill to thank for denying Isak a second. The striker was played in by Gakpo, but the defender flung himself in front of the resulting shot.

The host side could not make the most of that reprieve despite late pressure, with Liverpool holding firm until the full-time whistle.