Liverpool proved their title credentials on Saturday afternoon as they beat Bournemouth 2-0 away from home in the Premier League, extending their lead at the top of the table.
Bournemouth struck the woodwork in the first 15 minutes, but Cody Gakpo earned a penalty before the half-hour mark, which Mohamed Salah coolly converted to score his 177th Premier League goal, drawing level with Frank Lampard as the sixth-highest scorer in Premier League history.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off shortly after the hour mark, and his replacement Conor Bradley showed lots of energy, making bursting runs into the final third, helping the Reds sustain pressure away from their own goal.
Liverpool later worked past Bournemouth's aggressive press in their own half and eventually got the ball to Salah inside the box on his left foot, and he - predictably - curled into the left side of the net to overtake Lampard.
The result means that Arne Slot's visitors are in first place with 56 points, nine ahead of both second-placed Arsenal and third-placed Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, the Cherries started the day in seventh place with 40 points and though their position is unchanged, Aston Villa could go level on points with Bournemouth should they beat Wolverhampton Wanderers later on Saturday.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Liverpool's victory against Bournemouth was far from straightforward, but the significance of overcoming the Cherries should not be overstated, especially as the match was arguably their toughest away game left this season.
If the Reds are to be caught in the title race, then they will almost certainly have to start dropping points sooner rather than later because they look determined to not give Arsenal any hope.
Saturday's match should also reaffirm Salah's status as one of the Premier League's greatest ever players, with the Egyptian now just six goals behind fifth-placed Sergio Aguero in the division's all-time scoring charts.
Bournemouth deserve plenty of credit for their performance, and Andoni Iraola will feel that his side were unfortunate not to score at least once.
BOURNEMOUTH VS. LIVERPOOL HIGHLIGHTS
30th min: Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool (Mohamed Salah)
© Imago
Lewis Cook clips Gakpo down the left of the penalty box and a spot kick is given, before Salah steps up and strikes expertly into the bottom-right corner.
His 20th goal in the Premier League!
38th min: David Brooks (Bournemouth) goal ruled out
© Imago
Milos Kerkez bursts down the left of Liverpool's penalty area and cuts back a cross near the edge of the box to David Brooks, who strikes into the bottom-left corner, but the officials say that left-back was offside in the buildup.
A tight call!
68th min: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) injury
© Imago
Alexander-Arnold signals that he wants to come off after appearing to suffer what could be a hamstring injury, and Bradley is brought on in his place.
That could be his second muscle injury of the season.
75th min: Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool (Mohamed Salah)
© Imago
Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz combine on the left during a counter-attack and work the ball to Curtis Jones outside the penalty area before he passes to the right to Salah, who drifts forward and curls a stunning effort around Kerkez into the left-side of the net.
A phenomenal goal from Salah!
MAN OF THE MATCH - MOHAMED SALAH
© Imago
Salah scored both goals and took his tally in the Premier League to 21 in 2024-25, three more than any other player in the top flight.
The Egyptian's second goal was a phenomenal display of skill, with the winger squaring up against Kerkez before using the left-back to guide the ball into the left side of the net.
Amongst players in the Liverpool squad, Salah produced the most shots (4), the joint most successful dribbles (2) and the joint second most chances created (2).
BOURNEMOUTH VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS
Possession: Bournemouth 49%-51% Liverpool
Shots: Bournemouth 14-19 Liverpool
Shots on target: Bournemouth 3-7 Liverpool
Corners: Bournemouth 3-3 Liverpool
Fouls: Bournemouth 15-9 Liverpool
BEST STATS
Most PL seasons with 20+ goals and 10+ assists:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 1, 2025
3 — Mo Salah
2 — Thierry Henry
No other player in history has more than one such season. pic.twitter.com/hNofrRghE8
Mohamed Salah for Liverpool in the first half vs. Bournemouth:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) February 1, 2025
◉ Most passes in final third (13)
◉ Most touches in opp. box (5)
◉ Most chances created (2)
◉ Most shots on target (2)
◉ Most goals (1)
His 20th PL goal of the season. ⚽️#BOULIV pic.twitter.com/2ED3uXt45A
Mo Salah. Unstoppable 😤 pic.twitter.com/XhvvSRJODc
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 1, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
The Cherries are set to take on Everton in the FA Cup on February 8 before returning to Premier League action against Southampton on February 15.
As for Liverpool, they will hope to overturn their 1-0 deficit on Thursday against Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, and Slot's side will then face Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup on February 9.
Lewis Nolan
