Liverpool are riding the crest of a wave after their 5-1 aggregate win over Manchester City.
Having freshly booked themselves a place in the Champions League semi-finals, Liverpool were looking to extend their brilliant form to the Premier League against Bournemouth.
On a mild evening at Anfield, the Reds piled on the pressure and their opponents barely had a kick.
Liverpool launched attack after attack upon the Cherries with Sadio Mane eventually making the breakthrough.
It says a lot about the phenomenal seasons of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, that the winger is considered to be having an allegedly mediocre campaign.
LIVERPOOL DOMINATE BOURNEMOUTH
Delivering the goods against Bournemouth, however, brought his tally up to 18 for the season and saw him usurp Demba Ba as the highest scoring Senegal international in Premier League history.
Frankly, Bournemouth were lucky to enter the break at just 1-0 down.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the performance came in Liverpool’s midfield with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in particular, thriving in a central role.
And while no Liverpool player performed poorly against Bournemouth, the contrast of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s performance compared to that of Georginio Wijnaldum’s had Kopites thinking.
FANS WANT WIJNALDUM-KEITA SWAP NEXT SEASON
Fans were tweeting during that game that Wijnaldum, not Oxlade-Chamberlain nor Jordan Henderson, should be the man to make way when Naby Keita arrives in the summer.
It’s a big claim, but the Bournemouth game suggests Wijnaldum is probably the most appropriate fall guy.
Take a look at the tweets below:
Wijnaldum mostly anonymous again that half, only noticed he was playing after half an hour. Can’t wait for Keita next season!
— Joe Brockbank (@Jbrockbank) April 14, 2018
With the Ox coming into his own, Milner doing Milner things and Hendo's influence being felt consistently, plus Keita (an upgrade on Gini in anyone's eyes I would think), Liverpool's midfield could probably run any team into the dirt next season #bbcfootball
— Aaron Lowrey (@lowrey_aaron27) April 14, 2018
Gini is trying, but he’s not up to the same standards as our other midfielders. I think he’ll be the one to makeway for Keita
— Kyle (@TheKloppRole) April 14, 2018
Gini's been far too passive today. It'll be him who'll make way for Keita. Keita is just an upgrade in nearly every aspect of the game tbh
— Robbie (@KloppsLegion) April 14, 2018
Keita replacing Gini in our midfield will have as much impact as VVD coming into our defence.
— Reece (@KopiteCalling92) April 14, 2018
There’s been great excitement around Keita recently, so there’s every reason to suggest he’ll be a starter for Liverpool next season.
His recent masterclass against Bayern Munich and stunning assist versus Marseille bodes well for success in the Premier League.
Kopites will be hoping he’s the final piece in the puzzle ahead of a season many think could see them launch a title challenge.
Wijnaldum, just as Liverpool fans are suggesting, should be looking over his shoulder.