Summer signing Alexis Mac Allister was sent off in his first home match for Liverpool but the Reds still overpowered Bournemouth in a thrilling Premier League game at Anfield.
The Cherries, who had already had a goal disallowed because Jaidon Anthony was offside, scored inside three minutes when the Reds gave away possession and Antoine Semenyo fired sweetly into the bottom corner.
Jurgen Klopp’s side eventually got into their stride in a frantic first half and scored twice in an eight-minute period.
Luis Diaz got the equaliser when he collected Diogo Jota’s low cross, flicked the ball up, spun and volleyed home.
Summer signing Dominik Szoboszlai then went to ground after a challenge at the corner of the box by Joe Rothwell and Mohamed Salah converted the rebound after his penalty was parried by Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto.
Argentina World Cup winner Mac Allister, signed in a £35m deal from Brighton, was shown a straight red card midway through the second half when he caught the foot of Ryan Christie.
But the 10 men of Liverpool scored a third as Szoboszlai’s low shot was pushed out by Neto and Jota netted from close range.
Controversial decisions and great entertainment
The win means Liverpool now have four points from two matches this season after they began with a 1-1 draw at Chelsea while Bournemouth have just one point from their opening two games.
Both managers may be unhappy with refereeing decisions from Thomas Bramall, with Liverpool’s penalty appearing a soft decision as Rothwell made minimal contact with Hungary captain Szoboszlai as he stretched out his leg.
Klopp will be disappointed with the decision to send off Mac Allister for what seemed a genuine attempt to win the ball.
While there did not look to be any malice in the challenge, the former Brighton midfielder’s boot was high as he caught Christie.
The Liverpool fans booed the decision while Klopp tried to provide some words of comfort for the Argentine as he walked off the pitch after an inauspicious end to his Anfield debut.
