DARWIN Nunez once again helped Liverpool undo Cherries, netting twice as the Reds continued their title charge with a resounding 4-0 win over Cherries at Vitality Stadium.

After a goalless first half, Nunez, whose stunning goal won this fixture in the EFL Cup in November, slotted in in less spectacular fashion this time around to break the deadlock.

Jota then went from provider to scorer to net twice himself, before Nunez wrapped up the win in stoppage time, 12th-placed Cherries now having suffered back-to-back league losses.

Cherries made six changes from the side which started against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup last time out, largely reverting back to the team which started their last league game, against Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Eve.

Among those to come into the team were James Hill, recently returned from a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers. It was just Hill’s third Cherries start, the last coming in August 2022.

Marcos Senesi served a one-match suspension, Chris Mepham making his first Premier League start since November. Lloyd Kelly returned from injury to take his place among the substitutes.

Liverpool arrived on the south coast unbeaten in 13 league games, losing just once in the top flight all season.

Cherries came flying out the traps in a lively start, forcing a string of early corners.

But Liverpool worked their way into the contest, gaining control of possession, without seriously testing goalkeeper Neto.

Cherries’ captain comfortably stopped long-range efforts from Nunez and Luis Diaz, while Alexis Mac Allister fired an effort off target.

Cherries began to find some attacking threat again in the closing stages of the half. They finally registered their first shot of the day in the 39th minute, Ryan Christie’s low effort easy for Alisson.

Christie then came within a whisker of putting Cherries ahead soon after. Good work from Luis Sinisterra saw him pick out Justin Kluivert in the box, whose cross just evaded both Christie and Dominic Solanke in the centre.

Within five minutes of the restart, Liverpool were ahead. Curtis Jones brought a long ball forwards out of the sky, before passing in to Jota with Cherries’ defence looking ragged. He in turn easily slipped it to Nunez unmarked in the box to slot past Neto.

The hosts looked for an instant response, Kluivert’s shot from the edge of the box deflected behind by Virgil van Dijk.

Young Liverpool full-back Conor Bradley was next to try his luck, denied by a diving Neto.

Andoni Iraola turned to his bench, introducing former Bristol City duo Kelly and Alex Scott, with Hill and Sinisterra withdrawn.

David Brooks was then brought on as the game headed towards its final 20 minutes, still well in the balance.

But moments later, the lead was doubled. Nunez won his battle with Illia Zabarnyi, before Cody Gakpo took over, rolling it into the path of Jota, who smashed in right-footed, via the post.

Liverpool added further gloss to the score through Jota again in the closing stages. Having fluffed his lines initially, Jota reacted quickest to slot in at the second time of asking.

Cherries were dealt a further blow, forced to end the game with 10 men when Max Aarons came off injured, Iraola having already used all his available substitutions.

Brooks then missed a good chance to pull a goal back, before Nunez connected with a Joe Gomez cross to turn in off the post as the Reds closed out the win, which moves them five points clear of the chasing pack.

Cherries: Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Mepham, Hill (Kelly, 55); Cook (Billing, 83), Christie; Tavernier, Kluivert (Brooks, 69), Sinisterra (Scott, 55); Solanke (Moore, 83).

Unused subs: Greenwood, Kilkenny, Marcondes, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Cook.

Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley (Beck, 83), Konate, van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Jones (Clark, 83); Diaz (Gakpo, 64), Elliott (Gravenberch, 64), Nunez; Jota (Gordon, 90+4).

Unused subs: Quansah, McConnell, Adrian (g/k), Kelleher (g/k).

Booked: Bradley, Nunez.

Referee: Andrew Madley.

VAR: Paul Tierney.