Liverpool maintained their grip on the Premier League summit with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, opening up a nine-point lead. Mohamed Salah delivered both goals, extending his prolific form and securing the points for the visitors.
Bournemouth entered the contest on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run, having claimed notable victories over Newcastle and Nottingham Forest. However, Liverpool’s control and clinical edge proved decisive, as they absorbed pressure and punished the hosts at key moments.
The result strengthens Liverpool’s title credentials, with their advantage at the top putting added pressure on Arsenal ahead of their pivotal meeting with Manchester City. For Bournemouth, the defeat marks the end of an impressive run but underlines their competitiveness against the league’s elite.
As it happened
Bournemouth started aggressively, with Antoine Semenyo testing Alisson inside 10 seconds. Semenyo, along with Justin Kluivert, posed repeated threats down Liverpool’s right, targeting Trent Alexander-Arnold with direct runs and quick link-up play. The Cherries almost broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when Semenyo’s left-footed strike hit the post after a sharp run.
Liverpool responded with intent. Cody Gakpo forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into a diving save from distance in the 17th minute. The breakthrough arrived on the half-hour mark: Lewis Cook fouled Gakpo in the box, and Mohamed Salah converted the penalty with composure for his 20th league goal of the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesBournemouth thought they had levelled in the 38th minute through David Brooks, but VAR confirmed Milos Kerkez was offside in the build-up. Just before the break, Dominik Szoboszlai fired over from Salah’s cut-back, and Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range effort flew off target.
Liverpool took a deserved 1-0 lead into halftime, with Salah’s penalty the difference after an intense, end-to-end first half.
Bournemouth came out strong after the break, with Semenyo forcing Alisson into a sharp save at the near post in the 51st minute. The Cherries continued to press, and Marcus Tavernier nearly equalised in the 72nd minute, striking the post with a curling effort before Justin Kluivert missed the rebound from close range.
Liverpool capitalised on Bournemouth’s missed chances. In the 75th minute, Curtis Jones set up Salah, who curled a stunning left-footed shot into the far corner for his second goal of the match and 21st of the season.
Embed from Getty ImagesBournemouth pushed for a response, but Alisson remained solid, making key saves to deny Tavernier and Semenyo. Despite their efforts, the hosts couldn’t break through Liverpool’s defence.
Liverpool managed the game effectively in the final minutes, with Salah substituted to a standing ovation. The Reds secured a 2-0 victory, ending Bournemouth’s 11-game unbeaten run and extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points ahead of the highly anticipated Arsenal v Manchester City clash.
The lineups
BOU: Arrizabalaga; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Christie; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara
LFC: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Díaz, Gakpo