Liverpool went into the international break with another Premier League victory, edging past Bournemouth 1-0 on the south coast in a result that underlined both their growing resilience and the value of Alexander Isak in decisive moments.

Andoni Iraola returned to a ground he knows intimately and came away satisfied with the outcome, even if the performance itself took time to settle. The Liverpool head coach acknowledged that Bournemouth began with the aggression and pressure that has become a hallmark at the Vitality Stadium, forcing his side to withstand an awkward opening spell before finding control.

In the end, that control proved enough. Isak’s goal just before the hour mark settled a tight contest, arriving after strong work from Cody Gakpo down the right. The Dutch forward beat two defenders, created the opening and supplied the delivery that allowed Liverpool’s summer centre-forward to finish from inside the box.

Iraola’s reading of the game was clear. “I think it was. I was disappointed with the first 20, 25 minutes, I think we didn’t start the game with the intensity the game required. To win here is very difficult, I know it very well. Normally Bournemouth start really strong and it took us these 20, 25 minutes until we matched a little bit this level and from there and I think at the end of the first half and second half we played better, we had better situations with the ball and we could win the game.”

That summary captured the pattern of the afternoon. Bournemouth pressed hard early, made Liverpool uncomfortable and limited their fluency in possession. Yet once Liverpool adjusted to the tempo and physical demands of the match, they looked increasingly composed. Their build-up improved, territory shifted and the visitors created the clearer openings.

Matches at Bournemouth often become scrappy and stretched, particularly when the home side force opponents into hurried decisions. Liverpool’s ability to weather that phase, then manage the game on their own terms, will have pleased the coaching staff. It spoke to a team that is learning how to win in different ways rather than relying on one dominant pattern.

For all the emphasis on collective improvement, the winning moment belonged to Isak. The Sweden international had endured a mixed afternoon in front of goal before converting the chance that mattered. Iraola’s view was pragmatic, centring on the broader function of the striker rather than a narrow focus on finishing alone.

“The striker’s job is like this. He had a couple of crosses that he doesn’t hit properly, one chance [he couldn’t] control and this. I think he has to help us to be closer to the box, to play in the opposition half, to have meaningful possession and then, if the team is playing there, he will receive the rewards in terms of goals.”