A masterclass from Mohamed Salah saw the Egyptian net a hat-trick as Liverpool thumped Bournemouth 4-0 in the Premier League.
Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Premier League (16), Dean Court
Saturday, 8 December 2018
Goals
Salah 25′ (assist: Firmino)
Salah 48′ (assist: Firmino)
S.Cook (OG) 68” (assist: Robertson)
Salah 77′ (assist: Lallana)
Jurgen Klopp made five changes to the lineup that saw off Burnley in the week, with James Milner playing at right-back.
Liverpool, playing in a 4-2-3-1 shape with Mohamed Salah up front, were in control of the game early as they sought to move – at least temporarily – to the top of the league.
Salah looked very lively, playing on the shoulder of the defence, and it was the Egyptian who opened the scoring by following up Roberto Firmino‘s shot in the 25th minute.
Bournemouth began to grow into the game, but Liverpool’s defence held firm, with Alisson showing his aerial prowess to head clear one attack impressively.
Half-time: Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
- James Milner makes his 500th Premier League appearance
- Salah nets hat-trick to make it 12 goals for the season
- Reds’ best display of the season so far
- Result moves Reds to top of the league
The second half saw Salah double his tally within two minutes of the restart. The Reds’ No.11 expertly evaded two challenges including one clip on his ankle to finish beautifully into the corner, netting his 40th Premier League goal.
Salah was looking back to his very best form and gave Bournemouth‘s defence plenty of problems as he looked for his hat-trick – which almost arrived after a flowing move that ended with Xherdan Shaqiri chipping Salah in but he couldn’t quite keep the volley down.
Liverpool were in full flow and playing some of their best football of the season, which is promising with two huge home games to follow this week – against Napoli and Man United.
The Reds found the net for the third time in the 68th minute when Cherries’ centre-back Steve Cook diverted home a good cross from Andy Robertson.
Salah then netted his hat-trick in superb style, beating the defence, rounding the keeper, then coolly finishing from close range. It was taking the proverbial and Salah back to his very best.
Liverpool move to 42 points after 16 games and to the top of the table, with Man City in action at Chelsea later in the day.
TIA Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah
Referee: Lee Mason
Bournemouth: Begovic; Francis, S.Cook, Ake, Daniels (Rico 83′); Stanislas (Mings 83′), Surman, Brooks (Mousset 65′), Lerma, Fraser; King
Subs: Boruc, Pugh, Ibe, Defoe
Liverpool: Alisson; Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Shaqiri (Mane 65′), Firmino (Henderson 79′), Keita (Lallana 45′); Salah
Subs: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Sturridge, Origi
Next Match: Napoli, Champions League (home, Tuesday 11 December, 8pm)
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