Bournemouth 0, Liverpool 2 - Match Report: A Hard Won Three Points Away
Liverpool make it through a tricky match against an in-form Bournemouth thanks to Mohamed Salah.
Bournemouth 0 - 2 Liverpool
Liverpool: Salah 30’ (pen), 74’
Pre-Match
Plenty of changes from Arne Slot today from the team that lost in midweek. Bournemouth are on an excellent run of form and will clearly fancy their chances at home against Liverpool.
First Half
The match started with an oopsie after kick-off, and Bournemouth gets a shot off in the opening seconds. Thankfully it came to nothing, but Liverpool have looked off and a bit shaky at the back.
Semenyo with a lot of leeway on that right side, which is concerning. They’ll need to deal with that or he could cause some problems.
About 15 minutes into the match, Cody Gakpo gets the first shot off, which is blocked.
As expected from these first 20 minutes, Semenyo creates a good chance for himself, but his shot ricochets off of the near post to keep the game goalless.
On the other end, the Reds attempt one of their lightning quick fast breaks. It’s Dominik Szoboszlai who gets the shot off, but it lands harmlessly in the path of the goalkeeper, but shunts it out for a Liverpool throw-in.
Liverpool get some good luck. Gakpo is fouled in the box. After a VAR check, the decision stands, and Liverpool gets a penalty. Mohamed Salah steps up and tucks it neatly away into the right corner to break the stalemate at 30 minutes in.
Bournemouth score, but the goal is disallowed for offside. That a soft penalty and very close VAR decision that both gone Liverpool’s way in this first half.
Second Half
No changes in the second half for the Reds. Ibrahima Konaté gets involved early after the whistle, getting a crucial block on a volley that was on target.
Semenyo nearly scores again, but Alisson is up to it and gets it clear for a corner.
As frustration and exhaustion kicks in, so too do the yellow cards, on both sides. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister both get their own, before Mac Allister is subbed out for Curtis Jones.
Alexander-Arnold, who had a tough game, goes down and is replaced by Conor Bradley. Hopefully that’s just a knock. Gakpo is taken out for Darwin Núñez.
Kluivert once again hits the woodwork for Bournemouth with a lovely strike at a tough angle. If Liverpool win this game, it will be at least 40% because of the luck of the Football Gods.
And indeed, They are shining down on the Reds today, as Salah gets another goal at 74 minutes. It starts with a break. Luis Dìaz runs down the wing and gets it to Jones, who finds Salah. Salah cuts in to get it on his left foot and sinks it into the far corner. That was lovely from Salah, as has come to be expected.
The goalscorer is replaced at 87 minutes by Wataru Endō to finish off the game. Listen, if Mo Salah isn’t a Liverpool player next season, I will lose what little is left of my mind.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this was one of those games that champions win, where they weren’t always the better team, but they still managed to take home the three points. Nottingham Forest decimated Brighton, so that means Liverpool are currently nine points clear at the top. Arsenal and Manchester City clash on Sunday, so we’ll see how that plays out.
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
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