Liverpool surged to the Premier League summit after Luiz Diaz scored twice in a convincing 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Visiting forward Antoine Semenyo saw an early strike overturned for offside following a VAR review before one-way traffic ensued in the first half at Anfield, with Diaz twice on target.
The Colombia winger profited from Kepa Arrizabalaga’s slack positioning for the opener before finishing through the legs of the Bournemouth goalkeeper just two minutes later.
Darwin Nunez added an eye-catching third with a brilliant strike before the break as Arne Slot’s side responded in style to their defeat against Nottingham Forest last time out in the competition.
Saturday’s routine win moves Liverpool, at least temporarily, to top spot before Sunday’s heavyweight clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, while Bournemouth drop to 13th.