Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool: Mohamed Salah hat-trick sends Reds top of the Premier League
Re-live the action from the Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool have gone top of the Premier League, albeit until Manchester City player in Saturday's evening game, after a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Bournemouth in which Mohamed Salah returned to his very best with a hat-trick.
There was plenty of debate over the opening goal as Salah looked to be offside when he sprinted to reach a poor Asmir Begovic parry that allowed the Egyptian to calmly stroke the ball home from the centre of the box. Bournemouth made it through to half-time without conceding, but afterwards Liverpool turned on the style.
Salah added his second soon after the resumption before Bournemouth defender Steve Cook somehow turned the ball into his own net from a difficult angle, and there was enough time for Salah to add a late third to secure Liverpool's fifth consecutive victory in the league . Relive the live action below.
What time does it start?
Bournemouth vs Liverpool kicks off at 12:30pm (GMT)
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Premier League and Main Event channels from 11:30am. Highlights will be shown at 10:30pm on BBC One.
Player to watch
Virgil van Dijk: Despite Jurgen Klopp’s side’s diverse attacking threats, it has been the imperious Dutchman who has vastly improved Liverpool’s defence. He brilliantly created a second for Roberto Firmino against Burnley and could have scored himself, but it is at the other end where the former Southampton man will have to be at his best, with Callum Wilson in excellent form.
Form guide
Bournemouth: WLLLLW
Liverpool: LWWLWW
Odds
Bournemouth to win: 17/4
Liverpool to win: 3/5
Draw: 7/2
Prediction
Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool: A nervy win could be in store for Jurgen Klopp's side
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool (Mohamed Salah, 25 minutes)
Liverpool lead.
The ball bounces to Roberto Firmino about 30 yards from goal, and the Brazilian's swerving low volley is a little awkward for Asmir Begovic.
Begovic can't control his parry away and is helpless as Mohamed Salah is on the spot to slot home the rebound.
The Bournemouth players are aggrieved that there was not offside flag, and rightly so. Salah had gone too early. Another goal that wouldn't have stood with VAR, but it does, and it is 1-0 to the visitors.
29 minutes
A shame for Bournemouth, that. It appeared they had weathered the early period of dominance from Liverpool and seemed to be growing in stature.
31 minutes
To their credit Bournemouth do respond, but they try to be a little too intricate in the final third and a misdirected Jefferson Lerma pass concedes a throw.
Mohamed Salah scores the opener as Liverpool take a deserved lead.
33 minutes
Andrew Robertson finds a blind alley to explore and is understandably dispossessed by Ryan Fraser, who presses forward and wins a corner.
Junior Stanislas picks it up on the edge of the box, and his deflected effort earns another opportunity to deliver.
34 minutes
Stanislas and Fraser combine from the set piece, with the latter hoisting a cross to the back post.
Nathan Ake is unmarked but seems surprised when the ball drops at his feet, a haphazard swing that only succeeds in sending the ball up into his arm and the chance dissipates.
Ake could have done better.
37 minutes
Andrew Surman plays a wonderful diagonal, perfectly judged to Simon Francis' feet on the charge, but the right back and David Brooks just can't combine, with Naby Keita and Andrew Robertson doing enough to win back the ball.
But Bournemouth come again and win a corner.
38 minutes
Alisson takes the option to punch the inswinging Ryan Fraser delivery. He doesn't get huge purchase on his punch, and it is more up than out, but a Bournemouth player is in an offside position as the ball is headed back goalwards and he will get a chance for a more meaningful clearance.
40 minutes
The home side are in the midst of their brightest spell, but have to be careful.
Alisson this time claims very competently and looks to launch long for Mohamed Salah, who is beyond Nathan Ake.
Salah is unable to corral the swirling pass but would have been in had he managed to control it.
42 minutes
Again it is Salah (who has made nine or ten runs in behind already) who is able to latch onto what seemed to be an overhit pass and win a corner.
James Milner's cross is too close to Asmir Begovic who safely reaches up to the top shelf and brings it down into his midriff.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments