Liverpool have gone to the top of the Premier League for at least a few hours, as Mohamed Salah inspired a 4-0 win at Bournemouth.
2018/2019 Premier League
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Match Events
Mohamed Salah was the star of the show with a hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed Bournemouth 4-0 away from home to go top of the Premier League for at least a few hours.
Jurgen Klopp said pre-game that Manchester City would feel no added pressure for their trip to Chelsea if the Reds were to briefly go above them, but the champions now have to prove his point, as Salah led a rout at the Vitality Stadium.
There was more than a hint of fortune about Liverpool's first-half opener, as Salah netted from close range despite appearing to be offside.
The Egypt star was decisive again just after the restart, singlehandedly taking the game to the Bournemouth defence and finding the net, before a Steve Cook own goal and Salah's third rounded things off in the latter stages, taking him to double figures in the league this term.
And victory capped off a day to remember for James Milner, who made his 500th Premier League appearance.
22' SAVE! Alisson denies Brooks' shot
Alisson is forced to save low to his right to deny Brooks from King's reverse pass, before Cook's long-range shot from the ensuing corner is harmlessly over.
25' GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool (Salah)
Roberto Firmino's dipping shot from outside the box is too hot to handle for Begovic, and the ball spurts out. Mohamed Salah is first to react and he makes no mistake.
But replays show he was fractionally in an offside position when Firmino took the shot. Liverpool are ahead in controversial circumstances.
48' GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool (Salah)
Mohamed Salah is taking Liverpool a step closer to the top of the Premier League. Steve Cook's poor pass is pounced upon by Roberto Firmino, and he plays it into the path of Salah.
From then, it's all about the Egyptian as he runs at Nathan Ake, who backs away and invites the shot.
It duly comes, and the ball takes a slight deflection off the Bournemouth defender on its way to nestling in Begovic's bottom left corner. Liverpool in control now.
68' OWN GOAL! Bournemouth 0-3 Liverpool (Cook)
That just sums up Steve Cook's day. Liverpool build patiently down the right through Salah and the ball is worked inside to Fabinho.
The Brazilian sees Andrew Robertson bombing down the left, and the Scotsman's cross is delivered at pace... Cook dangles a leg out in a bid to clear but the ball comes off the inside of his heel and flies past Begovic.
77' GOAL! Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool (Salah)
Liverpool are 4-0 up as they were here a year ago, and it's Mohamed Salah completing his hat-trick.
Steve Cook is no match for him as a he loses the foot race and Salah rounds Begovic before leaving the Bosnian on the floor again and toe-poking his finish beyond Ake on the goal-line.
Line-ups
Bournemouth XI: Begovic, Francis, Cook, Ake, Daniels, Lerma, Surman, Brooks, Stanislas, Fraser, King.
Subs: Boruc, Pugh, Mousset, Ibe, Defoe, Rico, Mings.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Robertson, Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Fabinho, Keita, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Salah, Firmino.
Subs: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Lallana, Mane, Sturridge, Origi.、