DARWIN Nunez came off the bench to deliver the devastating blow as Liverpool overcame Cherries 2-1 in an entertaining Carabao Cup clash at Vitality Stadium.

A close-range finish from Cody Gakpo put Liverpool ahead going into half-time, only for fellow Dutchman Justin Kluivert to head in an equaliser.

But the Reds got their winner in style, Nunez smashing a stunning strike into the top corner, as the nine-time cup winners progressed into the quarter-finals.

Andoni Iraola named a strong line-up with three changes from the win over Burnley at the weekend. Adam Smith, Milos Kerkez and Kluivert came in with Max Aarons, Lloyd Kelly and Marcus Tavernier dropping out.

Star man Mohamed Salah captained Liverpool.

Cherries made a bright start. Kluivert, making his first appearance in over a month, saw two shots in the space of a minute saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.

A flowing move then led to Antoine Semenyo teeing up Ryan Christie on the edge of the box, but his effort was wayward.

Goalkeeper Andrei Radu was tested for the first time on 27 minutes, getting down low to save Harvey Elliott’s scuffed effort.

Dominik Szoboszlai then dragged a shot wide, before Cherries broke down the other end. Kluivert did well to control a ball swirling in the air as Storm Ciaran began to take effect.

The winger then opted to tee up the marauding Kerkez, whose shot was straight at Kelleher.

A couple of minutes later, Liverpool were in front, a set-piece proving to be Cherries’ undoing. They could only half clear their lines, Elliott collecting possession unmarked on the edge of the box.

His shot was turned on target by Gakpo, with Radu making the stop. But the Romanian was powerless to stop Gakpo slamming in on the rebound.

Both sides had further chances before the entertaining first half was out. Szoboszlai dragged an effort past the post, before Kelleher got down well to deny Semenyo.

With the wind at their backs, Cherries began the second half on the front foot. Alex Scott fired just over from distance, before Dominic Solanke’s strike went into the side netting.

Scott then tried his luck direct from a corner, the ball sailing over the head of Kelleher, but cleared off the line by Joe Gomez.

Both managers turned to their benches on the hour mark. Tavernier came on for Cherries, while Nunez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alexis Mac Allister were all called by Jurgen Klopp.

Instantly Cherries created their clearest opening of the evening, Kluivert picking out Semenyo unmarked in the box, who sliced his effort off target.

Moments later, Tavernier looked to make an instant impact, his long-range strike tipped over by Kelleher.

And the pressure paid off. Another Scott corner caused chaos, this time met by Kluivert at the back post to nod in his first goal for the club.

Momentum was with Cherries, until a bolt out the blue from Nunez. Alexander-Arnold sprayed a pass out to the Uruguayan, who cut in from the left and bent a superb effort into the top corner, which proved the be the decisive moment.

Cherries: Radu; Smith (Aarons, 81), Mepham, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Scott (Moore, 81), Billing (Tavernier, 61); Semenyo (Brooks, 74), Christie, Kluivert (Traore, 74); Solanke.

Unused subs: Senesi, Rothwell, Ouattara, Plain (g/k).

Booked: Kerkez, Scott, Iraola.

Liverpool: Kelleher; Gomez, Matip, Quansah, Tsimikas; Endo (Alexander-Arnold, 61), Elliott (Nunez, 61), Jones (Mac Allister, 61); Szoboszlai (Gravenberch, 76), Gakpo (Jota, 81), Salah.

Unused subs: Konate, van Dijk, Scanlon, Adrian (g/k).

Booked: Gakpo.

Referee: John Brooks.