Isak fires Liverpool to 1-0 win over Iraola’s Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s English midfielder #08 Alex Scott (R) challenges Liverpool’s Hungarian midfielder #08 Dominik Szoboszlai (C) during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Liverpool won 1-0 on Andoni Iraola’s return to Bournemouth thanks to Alexander Isak’s winner.

Iraola was given a warm reception after leading the Cherries into Europe for the first time in the club’s history.

That success led to the Basque being snapped up by Liverpool but he has endured an up and down start at Anfield and needed a victory to ease tensions before the international break.

Liverpool’s performance was again far from convincing but they got the only goal when Cody Gakpo’s cross sat up for Isak to fire in his fourth of the season.

“To win here is very difficult, I know it very well,” said Iraola. “Overall we’ve improved, definitely since the first games.”

Victory moves Liverpool up to sixth and within a point of third-placed Brighton.

Leeds missed the chance to go third themselves after being held 0-0 at home by Crystal Palace.