Liverpool maintained their long winning run in the Premier League with a 3-0 victory at Bournemouth, with a rare clean sheet a welcome positive.
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Bournemouth 0-3 Liverpool
Premier League, Dean Court
December 7, 2019
Goals: Oxlade-Chamberlain 35′, Keita 44′, Salah 54′
Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table—for a day, at least—to 11 points, after a 3-0 win over Bournemouth.
Jurgen Klopp made seven changes for the game, bringing in starters who were rested against Everton as well as a handful more squad players aiming to stake their own claim.
Naby Keita was handed a start, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain played from the left of the attack and the duo of Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino both came in, with Sadio Mane and Divock Origi making way.
It was another good juggling act from Klopp to keep his squad fresh, playing a big part and earning comfortable results—and this one might have been the most cruisey game of the season so far.
The Reds had a few half-chances early on, but it was mostly long spells of dominant possession and quick challenges to win back the ball in midfield.
Oxlade-Chamberlain opened the scoring before the break with a fine first-time finish, latching onto a brilliant diagonal pass from Jordan Henderson.
Liverpool never really looked like dropping points from that moment on, and Keita—who was quiet before that point—took centre stage.
A well-worked move between himself and Salah saw the No. 8 poke home the second, then they combined once more as Keita turned provider for a nice finish from Salah.
The pattern thereafter was possession, control and sporadic chances on goal, as Liverpool saw out the rest of the match with ease.
A highlight was a Premier League debut for Curtis Jones, who played the last 15 minutes or so, while Xherdan Shaqiri continued his comeback from injury with a late cameo off the bench too.
Three more points, a very comfortable afternoon and another step toward the title for Liverpool.
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