Arne Slot says Mohamed Salah demonstrated his quality after scoring both goals to clinch a 2-0 win over Bournemouth that moved Liverpool nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. (More Football News)
Salah netted in both halves to earn the Reds a third consecutive win in the top flight, converting a first-half penalty after Lewis Cook tripped Cody Gakpo, before cu🃏rling in a stunning second 15 minutꦯes from time.
Salah has now scored 11 Premier League goals against Bour༒nemouth; the seventh side he has netted 10 or more against in the competition. Only 𓆏Alan Shearer (12) has scored double figures against more different opponents in Premier League history.
The Egyptian also reached 20 or more Premier League goals in a single 🔯seas𒈔on for the fifth time (also 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, and 2021-22).
"Maybe, that second goal was the difference between the two teams," Slot told Sky Sports. "It was not an easy chance, and he puts it in the net, but it shows you how much 🔯quality he has."
It was a victory that extended Liverpool's unbeaten streak to 19 games in the league (won 14, drawn five), while they have not lost any of their last 14 P🌳remier League games on the road (won 🍎nine, drawn five), though they were made to work hard for the three points at the Vitality Stadium.
"[It was] exactly the game we expected. They're so intense, anꦓd they keep running every second," Slot added. "I said before the game when we were 3-0 up at Anfield at half-time, they kepඣt on running.
"We had to play on top of our abilities, and we needed a bit of luck to win this game. They were constantly trying to do ไthings. I didn't think we controlled the game.
"It 🐠is a good team and a good manager. I am very happ♚y that we could keep a clean sheet and score two goals."
Bournemouth, meanwhile, saw their 11-match unbeaten run in the top-flight ended by Saturday's result - missing the chance to move into the top ꦰfour, with Newcastle United losing to Fulham, and Chelsea and Manchester City not playing until later in the weekend.
Indeed, the Cherries have only lost two league games by two or more goals 𒉰this season - both of which have been to Liverpool (3-0 in 𒈔September, 2-0 today).
They had chances, though, with Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier both striking the post, while David Brooks had a goal ruled out for offside an𒆙d Justin Kluivert, who had scored in three consecutive Premier League games, missed an empty goal.
Bournemouth have🧜 now hit the woodwork 16 times in the Premier League this season, the outright most of any side.
"[It is] disappointing when you lose a game,&quo🏅t; Andoni Iraola to🐬ld Sky Sports. "Small things didn't go for us. We have given ourselves a chance, but it hasn't been enough.
💟"Key moments, you can score and make the difference. But we have not scored and in the end - against teams like Liverpool - you need to punish them whenever you have the chance♕.
"The way the players performed; everyonꦫe can see it has been a high-level game. We have a week to🅺 prepare for the game against Everton in the FA Cup. Everton have been doing well, so it's a difficult draw for us."
