Trent Alexander-Arnold admitted that Liverpool's thumping win over Bournemouth was a direct response to their loss against Manchester United.
Liverpool equalled the Premier League's record win by thrashing Bournemouth 9-0 at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. In the process they recorded the fourth instance of that scoreline in the league’s history and picked up their first league win of the season in style.
Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz both scored twice, while Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho all got on the scoresheet alongside a Chris Mepham own goal. The emphatic victory came just five days after Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford against rivals United and Alexander-Arnold did not try to hide the connection.
Asked by BBC Radio 5 Live whether the performance was in response to the United loss, he said: "It definitely was, anytime you get beat you want to come out and win your next game. We had a point to prove after three disappointing games but the main thing was to come out and win and we did it in fantastic fashion. It was very special out there today, we took our chances and it was fantastic from the lads."
He added: "That’s what we needed to do after Monday. Our aim was to come out of the blocks. We played on the atmosphere here today. We were on the front foot from the first kick. It was an outstanding game, an exceptional performance.”
Alexander-Arnold also reserved special praise for Carvalho, who netted his first Liverpool goal after joining from Fulham this summer. "He's gelled well with the lads and he's got the world at his feet. I'm sure he'll go on to do amazing things,” he said.
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"For him it's about pushing a place into the team and making an impact and today he's bagged himself a goal. He's built himself a really good foundation for this season so hopefully he can go on and push further."
Jurgen Klopp was similarly delighted with the result, which came after two draws and a defeat in Liverpool’s opening three Premier League games. "Very good. We wanted to show a reaction. Be ourselves. Getting to be the best version of ourselves. We play a specific way,” he said.
"We scored wonderful goals. The game settled and we kept scoring. It was about keep going. Not to humiliate Bournemouth, we couldn’t respect them more. It’s about putting the opponent under pressure. I could bring on the kids, they deserve it so much. Harvey [Elliott] is a special player, wonderful goal. Everything was perfect pretty much."
Liverpool will face Newcastle on Wednesday before travelling across the city for the Merseyside derby against Everton next weekend. They will then begin their Champions League campaign against Napoli on September 7.
