Liverpool 2 – 0 AFC Bournemouth
Mohamed Salah’s stunning performance led Liverpool to a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth, moving them 9 points ahead of the second-place team in the league.
With this win, Liverpool’s bid to reclaim the league title became even more solid. Salah’s goals secured the three points for Liverpool, helping them strengthen their position in the Premier League table.
The match, played away on Saturday, saw Liverpool dominate with goals from Salah in both halves, as the 2019-2020 champions triumphed 2-0.
Liverpool now sits at the top of the table with 56 points, having won 17 matches and drawn 5 in 23 games. Arsenal and Nottingham Forest follow with 47 points each, though Forest has played one more match.
In the first encounter of the season, last September, Liverpool had thrashed Bournemouth 3-0 at home. However, this time, Bournemouth started confidently on their home ground.
The visiting team had four shots in the first 15 minutes, and in the 20th minute, they nearly went ahead. Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo’s shot hit the crossbar, keeping the score level for Liverpool.
Liverpool, after a somewhat lackluster start, gradually grew into the game, creating more attacks. In the 30th minute, a penalty was awarded after Cody Gakpo was fouled in the box, and Salah coolly converted the spot-kick to give his team the lead.
With this goal, Salah became the league’s top scorer so far with 20 goals, marking his fifth season in the Premier League with at least 20 goals.
Bournemouth started the second half with more intensity. In the opening minute, they threatened Liverpool’s defense, and in the 70th minute, they were unlucky again. A powerful shot from Marcus was denied by the post, and Justin Kluivert couldn’t capitalize on the rebound.
Five minutes later, Salah doubled the lead with a superb finish. Curtis Jones assisted him, and Salah’s precise shot found the far post to make it 2-0.
With this brace, Salah is now three goals ahead of Erling Haaland, who has 18 goals. Salah continues to impress with his consistency, as the former top scorer in the last two seasons extends his tally.
Salah was substituted with two minutes to go, and he did not get another chance to complete a hat-trick.
Bournemouth’s 11-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end with this defeat. After their sixth loss of the season, they remain in 7th place with 40 points from 24 matches.
