Liverpool returned to winning ways in fine fashion on Sunday as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
It was a largely one-sided game on the south coast of England as Liverpool created chance after chance against a listless Bournemouth side. The win was set in motion by Philippe Coutinho, who struck a sublime individual goal before Dejan Lovren doubled his side’s advantage not soon after.
Mohamed Salah made it 3-0 just before half-time as he gave some nightmares to the Bournemouth defence. The win was finally sealed midway through the second half through Roberto Firmino, who was hailed by fans for a complete performance on the evening.
The year is 2032.
Roberto Firmino is commonly regarded to as one of the greatest players to have ever played for Liverpool.
He is getting his statue unveiled next to the now-demolished Goodison Park.
SteveTheRed41941 still thinks his name is ‘Firminho’.
— Paul (@Kolology) December 17, 2017
Firmino is something else.
I adore him. pic.twitter.com/Cer5RspA9F
— – (@AnfieldRd96) December 17, 2017
I’d love to know what goes on in Firmino’s head sometimes. Bet it’d be fascinating.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) December 17, 2017
I think if I was planning a night out with a select group of Premier League footballers, Bobby Firmino would be top of the list.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 17, 2017
I believed in him, even in the hardest moments when many thought he was just an “ordinary” player.
Roberto Firmino is a proof that you can be special without scoring 25 goals a season. If he actually finishes this season with 25 he earns himself a spot in the top class category. pic.twitter.com/ftmOc585js
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) December 17, 2017
Tremendous display from Firmino. 13 for the season now including today’s strike, the fourth of the afternoon for the Reds ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/gP5oAzYXfv
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) December 17, 2017
There were words of praise for Dejan Lovren as well, who has been quite lamented this season, but produced a solid performance on Sunday.
If you are gonna hate on Lovren when he makes a mistake, you need to praise him when he scores, only fair people so stop slacking him even when he scores.
— AnfieldsKopArmy (@AnfieldsKopArmy) December 17, 2017
If you’re not happy for Dejan Lovren I dunno why you’re even here.
— RushTheKop (@RushTheKop) December 17, 2017
Despite the amount of hate that Lovren gets, from myself too (rightly so, 99% of the time), that goal makes me very happy for him. He may lack the ability, but he never lacks the passion and commitment. That goal will mean a lot to him. The smile says it all.
— Dharma Bhagalia (@Kloppholic) December 17, 2017
Absolutely chuffed for Lovren! Gets hell from our fans, so I hope this at least makes him feel good and gets his confidence up.
— LFC Podcasting Couch (@PodcastingCouch) December 17, 2017
But, the hero on the night was Philippe Coutinho, the creative workforce for the Reds who also scored a spectacular goal to start the onslaught.
Brilliant by Coutinho> What a Xmas present ? pic.twitter.com/i07PLCFy75
— MoLFC (@MoLFC_) December 17, 2017
Philippe Coutinho. ? pic.twitter.com/ZgwmgyDGuv
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats2) December 17, 2017
Love Coutinho’s long range strikes but that might just be his best goal for Liverpool. Leaves 6 players for dead. The kind Messi would be proud of.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) December 17, 2017
?? Philippe Coutinho!
The Magician. https://t.co/I6qTVrIHB7
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) December 17, 2017
No point even discussing it anymore, Coutinho is world class.
— – (@AnfieldRd96) December 17, 2017
That’s absolutely stunning from Coutinho. Such a composed finish after a mazy run. Great run from Robertson on the outside helped him out too. #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) December 17, 2017
Someone’s playing out of their skin ?@Phil_Coutinho’s last 13 @LFC starts:
⚽️ Goal
?️ Assist
⚽️ Goal
⚽️ Goal
⚽️ Goal
?️ Assist
?️ Assist
⚽️ Goal
?️ Assist
⚽️ Goal
?️ Assist
?️ Assist
⚽️ Goal
⚽️ Goal
⚽️ Goal
⚽️ Goal#LFC pic.twitter.com/qvHKt0nG5y— Dugout (@Dugout) December 17, 2017
Look at the difference between Coutinho & Alexis, both want to leave their clubs but only one of them is still putting in good performances whilst the other is playing like a Sunderland player
— ً (@SimplyCosta) December 17, 2017
Coutinho just scored this, look at the defense it’s like they don’t even try, he just cruised and that’s an away game lol but EPL nerds will tell you Messi can’t emulate any of this & would struggle to retirement ffs pic.twitter.com/iDVVxQkcSv
— Messi ankle tape (@Breathe_Messi) December 17, 2017
#Coutinho is the best player in the Premier League right now. Yes he’s a Liverpool player but I tell it like it is
— Ross Phillips (@Ross7Phillips) December 17, 2017