Liverpool moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table as they delivered a 4-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Doubles from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota yielded the three points in what was a stellar second-half showing from the Reds after their winter break against a Cherries side who had won seven of their previous nine games.
The opening 45 minutes was a cagey affair as both sides struggled in the swirling south-coast wind. Liverpool were limited to long-range efforts from Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz but they were easily kept out by Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto.
The Reds improved markedly after the interval, however, and broke the deadlock through one fell swoop just four minutes into the second half. A slick move saw Jota slip in Nunez, who kept his composure to slot into the far corner.
The visitors started to assert their authority and Conor Bradley - on his Premier League debut - had two opportunities with as many minutes to double the lead. In the 52nd minute, he failed to direct a header on target before having a well-struck effort from the edge of the box well saved by Neto.
But with 20 minutes remaining, Liverpool doubled their advantage when substitute Cody Gakpo fed Jota to crash home into the near post. It was that man Jota who put the game to bed for the Reds in the 79th minute as Bradley's cutback was first scuffed by the Portuguese but the ball bounced kindly for him to fire an angled effort beyond Neto.
The only concern for Jurgen Klopp's side was that Curtis Jones was forced off in the closing stages while David Brooks spurned a big opportunity to notch a consolation goal for Bournemouth in the dying embers.
And with eight minutes of stoppage-time signalled, there'd be another goal in the game as Nunez timed his run perfectly to meet Joe Gomez's cross and slide into the far corner.
Overall, it job well done by Liverpool, especially considering their lengthy injury list along with Mo Salah currently at the African Cup of Nations. Here's how we rated the Liverpool players.
9. Diogo Jota - 9
Scruffy for much of the first half but danger increased when switched to the right flank. Improved markedly in the second half with his well-weighted pass assisting Nunez's opener before crashing home Liverpool's second. Could well have turned his back on his scuffed effort but reacted first to net the Reds' third goal. | Getty Images
10. Darwin Nunez - 8
Failed to test the keeper with two attempts and a little erratic in the first half. However, caused havoc in the second half when he opened the scoring and his strength to win the ball would lead to the Reds' second goal. Then finished neatly in stoppage-time to double his tally. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
11. Luis Diaz - 6
Fairly subdued in the first half bar one long-range effort that was tame and was on the end of a nasty tackle from Kluivert. Didn't have much of an impact after the break before being subbed in the 64th minute. | Getty Images
12. Sub 1 - Ryan Gravenberch - 7
Added more thrust in the engine room. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images