Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points as an impressive second-half display overpowered Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
By Olisa Obi
Although the first half was even, it was just a glimpse of Liverpool’s attacking strength and prowess as two goals apiece from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota sealed a deserved three points.
Jurgen Klopp’s men hold that 5 point lead over Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa although Pep Guardiola’s men have a game in hand.
Both sides struggled to create anything worthwhile in the first half, but Nunez broke the deadlock four minutes after the break with a composed right-foot finish from Jota’s pass, which is unlike him. But it seems like with the absence of Salah the team are all working to be better.
Nunez was then involved in the build-up to Liverpool’s second with 20 minutes left, battling to win possession for Cody Gakpo to release Jota, who beat Neto at his near post.
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Jota got his second when he initially mis controlled, but he was then able to quickly recover his poise to send a low shot beyond the Bournemouth keeper.
Uruguay forward Nunez added the fourth in stoppage-time, diverting in Joe Gomez’s cross.
With Salah at the AFCON with Egypt, there were of course doubts if this Liverpool squad would be able to compete without him. But they have proven doubters wrong, of course, to truly prove their title intent they must maintain this form.
Once again, Nunez and Jota were able to show what weaponry Klopp has at his disposal even without Salah with two goals each.
Both showed the quality required here to compensate for the fact the Premier League’s joint-leading scorer was missing.
This was also a Liverpool side without several other high-profile players, including the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Japan midfielder Wataru Endo also away at the Asian Cup.
The cruise to victory was helped by an outstanding performance from Argentina World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister in midfield.
