So Bournemouth was not the last resort for Brendan Rodgers after all.
Liverpool’s manager departed the seaside with a smile, a well-deserved place in the Capital One Cup semi-finals, with his team having reacquired their attacking verve and with Raheem Sterling impressing as a pacey, chance-taking forward. After a dramatic trip to the barbers, Sterling provided the cutting edge here.
So a trip to the south coast provided a well-timed tonic for Rodgers, Sterling and Liverpool after recent storms. Only time will tell if the tide has turned in their season, and a two-legged tussle against Chelsea to reach Wembley will be tough, but this was hugely encouraging for Liverpool’s many fans who negotiated the assault course of roadworks and rush-hour to reach Dean Court.
Due acknowledgement must also be paid to Bournemouth’s overly respectful approach to their guests for almost an hour, backing off, inviting Liverpool on and the visitors taking a three-goal lead through Sterling twice and Lazar Markovic. Concerns also persist defensively, and a new goalkeeper must be high on the list of Liverpool transfer targets after a wobble from Brad Jones allowed Dan Gosling to pull a goal back.
Yet Liverpool’s determination to resist any further resurgence from Eddie Howe’s slightly disappointing side was clear. Their mood was right, their tempo was quick and assertive and the manager’s tactics, a 3-4-3 system, was well-chosen and well-executed. Rodgers’ decision to field Sterling again as the frontrunner was utterly vindicated.
Many eyes focused on his severe haircut but, like Samson in reverse, Sterling seemed to grow in strength. His pace was always going to trouble Championship defenders but it was the intelligence of his movement, the timing and angling of runs that made him so irresistible here.
Rodgers has been talking about his importance to the team, and his confidence that the 20-year-old will commit himself to a new contract. His performance, and the two goals that brought relief to Liverpool, demonstrated his value to the club’s future, to why he deserves a substantially improved deal. Because he’s worth it? On this evidence, yes.
With Luis Suárez gone and Daniel Sturridge injured, Liverpool have been shorn of high-class attacking options. Rickie Lambert was on the bench.
Mario Balotelli was absent with a groin injury. He will learn the extent of his punishment for retweeting a racially offensive post later on Thursday; although he has not requested a personal hearing from the FA, Balotelli has submitted an emotionally powerful plea, detailing the racist abuse he himself has endured.
He still has much to prove at Liverpool. Balotelli will not start with Sterling as good as this up front. The Englishman’s acceleration so alarmed the Championship side that they sat off, freeing up even more room in midfield for Steven Gerrard to whip passes around.
The captain set the tone of total commitment with some fist-clenched exhortations before kick-off. Jordan Henderson joined in, spreading the message amongst the team. It was time to dispel the storm clouds. They ran out to "we will rock you" pumping from the speakers, into the teeth of swirling rain, into the chants of the vocal home fans. For a few minutes, Liverpool were tested. Adam Smith had a shot blocked by Martin Skrtel.
Callum Wilson wriggled through the middle but placed the ball wide, a waste of an opportunity he had created so adeptly.
Liverpool composed themselves and attacked again and again.
Sterling sped forward, ably assisted by Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana, briefly of this parish. Lallana drew a great save from Artur Boruc.
Sterling had a shot blocked. So did Coutinho, Lucas too.
Wave upon yellow wave crashed on to Bournemouth’s defence, breaking through after 20 minutes. A lengthy move led to the goal, comprising 39 passes. The ball was moved from Kolo Touré to Skrtel and then Gerrard got involved.
So did Dejan Lovren, Lucas, Lallana and Coutinho, then Henderson and Gerrard again. The attack was suddenly accelerated by Lallana and Sterling, then Markovic on the left. Beginning to display why Liverpool invested £20 million in his talents, the Serb crossed to the far post, Henderson headed back across and Sterling nipped in to nod past Boruc.
Liverpool’s supporters sang in praise of Rodgers. His players were certainly playing for the manager. Within seven minutes, they doubled their lead, a goal that a Bournemouth fan inadvertently contributed to. A whistle from the stands confused Tommy Elphick, the captain, who stopped, allowing Coutinho to continue his drive in from the left.
Boruc saved at the near post but the ball spilled out to Markovic, who clinically swept it home from 16 yards for his first goal for the club.
Elphick vainfully articulated his frustration to Mark Clattenburg, the owner of the only whistle that counted.
Bournemouth had another first-half flurry of hope, Yann Kermorgant shooting wildly over and Gosling’s effort being blocked by Gerrard. The visitors’ prominence continued at the break when a Liverpool fan from Bournemouth won the half-time crossbar challenge, much to the chagrin of the home crowd who suggested it was better to "support your local team".
Lovren failed to reappear for the second half, damaging a groin muscle and being replaced by Mamadou Sakho, introducing a few jitters, but Liverpool overall stayed in charge, adding a third through Sterling within six minutes. Lallana played the perfect pass, Sterling ran on, eluded Elphick and struck firmly past Boruc.
Bournemouth refused to go quietly, though. After 57 minutes, they had Dean Court reverberating with hope. Gosling unleashed a low shot that deceived Jones, who reacted weakly, letting the ball carry on into the net. It must have been a special moment for Gosling, this goal shown live on television. Five years ago, the former Evertonian scored in the Merseyside derby but the goal was missed when ITV accidentally cut to an ad break in an FA Cup fourth-round tie.
Gosling almost scored another here, hitting a post. Like the upright, Liverpool were shaking but only briefly. Sakho could easily have conceded a penalty for a challenge on Wilson but Liverpool resisted any more attempts from Bournemouth.
Howe has built a good side here, primarily focused on promotion, but the positive principles were clear, the desire to pass and move. It was only five years and eight months ago that Steve Fletcher scored against Grimsby Town to keep Bournemouth in the Football League. Now they are driving for the Premier League. Sterling and company highlighted the challenges in store.
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