Alexander Isak’s goal gave Liverpool a priceless victory at the Vitality Stadium as Andoni Iraola’s side battled through another difficult Premier League afternoon against AFC Bournemouth.

The striker struck after 57 minutes, finishing first time after Cody Gakpo’s delivery into Florian Wirtz broke kindly inside the penalty area.

It was a decisive moment in a game Liverpool had struggled to control.

AFC Bournemouth had created the clearer opportunities for much of the contest and forced Alisson into important saves, while Liverpool spent long spells lacking rhythm and fluency in possession.

The opening half-hour was particularly poor.

Liverpool struggled to establish any sustained spell of pressure and Bournemouth looked far more comfortable playing through the midfield and attacking down the flanks.

The hosts created the first major opening of the encounter.

Marcus Tavernier did brilliantly down the left before finding Evanilson inside the penalty area, and the striker produced a clever flick towards goal.

Alisson reacted sharply to keep it out.

Liverpool had gone close earlier through Dominik Szoboszlai, who sent a free-kick narrowly wide, but there was little else to encourage Iraola during a sluggish opening period.

Bradley Barcola eventually provided a little attacking spark after 33 minutes, cutting inside from the left and forcing Djordje Petrovic into a save.

The danger remained alive and both Wirtz and Gakpo tried to capitalise, only for Bournemouth defenders to block their efforts.

Liverpool began to threaten slightly more as the half progressed, but the performance remained disjointed.

Wirtz found Isak shortly before the interval, but the striker fired well over the crossbar.

There were openings, there was very little control.

Bournemouth continue to threaten

Liverpool did not improve immediately after the restart.

Ryan Christie had two chances in quick succession as Bournemouth began the second half on the front foot.

He first continued his run into the penalty area after finding Rayan down the left, but failed to divert the resulting cross home.

Two minutes later, Alex Scott released Christie again and the midfielder fired wide.

Liverpool were under pressure, then Isak changed the game.

Isak delivers

The breakthrough came after 57 minutes.

Liverpool worked the ball well down the right before Gakpo sent a low delivery into the penalty area towards Wirtz.

The German took a touch but could not get his shot away.

The loose ball instead fell perfectly for Isak, who met it first time and fired beyond Petrovic.

It was a ruthless finish and one Liverpool desperately needed.

For all their struggles, Iraola’s side suddenly had something to protect.

Bournemouth responded by pushing higher and committing more players forward.

Evanilson tested Alisson again with an effort from the edge of the area, although the goalkeeper saved comfortably on that occasion.

The pressure continued.

From around the 65-minute mark onwards, the majority of the game was played in Liverpool territory.

Bournemouth controlled possession, moved Liverpool deeper and repeatedly looked to find a route through.

Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet were forced into an increasing amount of defensive work, but Liverpool’s back line held firm.

It became less about finding a second goal and more about surviving.

Adrien Truffert offered another warning five minutes from time after Bournemouth regained possession high up the pitch, but the defender dragged his effort wide.

Liverpool were hanging on.

For Iraola, returning to the club where he spent three years, this was never likely to be a straightforward afternoon.

His former side understood many of the principles he has brought to Liverpool and succeeded in making the game uncomfortable for long stretches.

But when the decisive moment arrived, Isak took it.

And with Bournemouth continuing to push until the closing stages, Liverpool’s ability to defend the advantage became the defining challenge of the afternoon.