It barely felt like a league game today. It was gorgeous weather in Bournemouth; everybody was rather laid back and almost carefree in terms of the result. Very reminiscent of the friendly at Swindon Town in August in that regard.
But the Reds were good. Some fringe players and youngsters were given opportunities to impress and most of them grabbed it with both hands.
The scoreline flattered the Cherries, in truth. Liverpool always looked in control of the game, with Joe Allen again running the thing as he has done whenever called upon this term.
Danny Ward finally got his chance after months on the bench, and gave a good account of himself.
Wednesday is a big game because it’s the Ev, but the Reds could find themselves closer to the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham United at the end of the season than it had first seemed.
A fairly straightforward run-in could see the Reds get at least fifth. That would look a lot nicer than ninth, which is where it feels like we have been all year.
Player ratings from the Vitality Stadium:
