Liverpool moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah scored twice in a 2-0 win against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Arne Slot's leaders were aiming to become to first team to beat their hosts in the league since November 23 and they were given a stern test en route to ending an 11-match unbeaten run for Andoni Iraola's side.
The league's top scorer Salah, as so often during this wonderful Liverpool season, was the difference, scoring a penalty in the first half and a brilliant solo goal in the second to secure his team's 17th win in their 23 games, but along the way Bournemouth put up a real fight.
Bournemouth v Liverpool
- League leaders visit Andoni Iraoa's impressive Cherries | 3pm kick-off at Vitality Stadium
- Arne Slot returns to strong Liverpool XI after midweek rotation
- Bournemouth: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.
- Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Luis Diaz, Gakpo.
- GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool (Salah, 29 pen)
- Half-time: Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
- GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool (Salah, 74 min)
- Full-time: Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
AFC Bournemouth 0 - 2 Liverpool FC
Liverpool go nine points clear at the top
17:12 , Lawrence OstlereSo Liverpool have opened up a nine-point lead in the Premier League title race as Mohamed Salah continued his sensational season with both goals in a 2-0 win at Bournemouth.
Arne Slot's side rode their luck at times against a side unbeaten in 11 league games but Salah once again proved the difference as he took his league tally to 21 this season.
Salah rifled home a penalty after half an hour and then curled home an exquisite second in the 75th minute.
Bournemouth, who remain seventh, hit the woodwork twice -- through Antoine Semenyo when it was 0-0 and then Marcus Tavernier shortly before Salah wrapped up the points.
Liverpool have 56 points from 23 games, with second-placed Arsenal and Nottingham Forest on 47. Arsenal host Manchester City, who are fourth with 41, on Sunday.
Full-time: Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
16:57It’s all over. A great effort by Bournemouth, but an unfortunate penalty and a brilliant Salah finish have proved their undoing, along with the woodwork and Alisson’s sharp saves.
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
16:54 , Lawrence Ostlere90 min: A smart save by Alisson, getting down to his right to keep out another Semenyo effort.
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
16:51 , Lawrence Ostlere87 min: Salah is replaced by Wataru Endo. Another brilliant performance. He was only involved for a few moments but that was enough.
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
16:4783 min: Perhaps if Bournemouth score now then we could be in for an entertaining finish, but the reality is that in a tight game, Salah has been more decisive than Semenyo in the penalty box, and it is probably too late.
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
16:4580 min: Bournemouth have missed another big chance, this time via Semenyo missing the target when through on goal.
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
16:43 , Lawrence Ostlere76 min: Ryan Christie is replaced by Daniel Jebbison.
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool (Salah, 74 min)
16:37What a goal this is, a gem, as Salah dribbles towards the box before bending a shot into the corner. Lovely.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:32 , Lawrence Ostlere70 min: Tavernier cuts inside and fires a brilliant shot from 25 yards which crashes against the post. Kluivert somehow puts the rebound wide. So close!
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:31 , Lawrence Ostlere68 min: Trent Alexander-Arnold is receiving some treatment, so we are going to see more changes.
Conor Bradley replaces the full-back, while Darwin Nunez replaces Cody Gakpo.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:28 , Lawrence Ostlere65 min: Marcus Tavernier replaces David Brooks, who’s had a good game.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:24 , Lawrence Ostlere62 min: Curtis Jones does indeed replace the tightrope-walking Alexis Mac Allister.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:23 , Lawrence Ostlere60 min: Bournemouth make a half-hearted appeal for a penalty against Alexander-Arnold, thinking he handled it, but nothing’s given. At the other end, Salah gets a shot away from distance but it dribbles wide.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:20 , Lawrence Ostlere57 min: It looks like Mac Allister might be coming off now – Arne Slot doesn’t want to take any chances.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:2053 min: Dean Huijsen is booked for a foul on Luis Diaz. Mac Allister then fouls Brooks and Bournemouth fans want to see a second yellow card for the Liverpool midfielder, but it’s not happening.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:14 , Lawrence Ostlere50 min: Kerkez steps out of defence and nabs the ball before feeding Kluivert on the left, but then Semenyo fouls Gravenberch and the move breaks down. Liverpool are playing intelligently, slowing things down and trying to break up Bournemouth’s tempo.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:13 , Lawrence Ostlere48 min: Great start to the half by Bournemouth, coming for Liverpool in these early moments.
Kerkez and Mac Allister both pick up bookings, for a mis-timed tackle and pull-back respectively.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:06 , Lawrence Ostlere46 min: We’re back underway at the Vitality Stadium.
Half-time: Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:06 , Lawrence OstlereThe rest of the Premier League action today:
Forest 7-0 Brighton (FT)
Everton 3-0 Leicester (HT)
Ipswich 1-1 Southampton (HT)
Newcastle 1-0 Fulham (HT)
Wolves v Aston Villa (5.30pm GMT)
Half-time: Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:04 , Lawrence OstlereSome images from that first half:
Half-time: Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:51 , Lawrence OstlereThat’s the break. Liverpool lead through Mohamed Salah’s penalty after Cody Gakpo was tripped in the box. It’s been a good contest, and Bournemouth are far from out of this one.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:49 , Lawrence Ostlere45+3 min: Liverpool make a raid forwards which ends with Gravenberch shooting high over the bar, to jeers.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:46 , Lawrence Ostlere45 min: There will be five minutes of stoppage time added on.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:44 , Lawrence Ostlere42 min: Bournemouth are playing confidently and probably don’t deserve to be behind here. Can they grab something before the break?
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:40 , Lawrence Ostlere38 min: Replays show how Van Dijk’s perfectly timed step up caught Kerkez offside in the build-up to what would have been a lovely goal.
RULED OUT! Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:3835 min: Bournemouth thought David Brooks had equalised, but the flag goes up for offside.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:34 , Lawrence Ostlere32 min: Bournemouth respond positively, going down the other end searching for an equaliser.
The Premier League action today:
Forest 7-0 Brighton (FT)
Everton 2-0 Leicester (latest)
Ipswich 1-1 Southampton (latest)
Newcastle 0-0 Fulham (latest)
Wolves v Aston Villa (5.30pm GMT)
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool (Salah, 29 pen)
15:31 , Lawrence OstlereMohamed Salah fires home his 20th league goal of the season, slamming the ball into the side netting with Kepa nowhere near it.
Penalty to Liverpool!
15:29 , Lawrence Ostlere28 min: Indeed it is a penalty. Salah v Kepa...
Penalty to Liverpool!
15:2926 min: Gakpo makes a run in behind Cook and he’s tripped, and it’s clearly a penalty. It was accidental, but as soon as Gakpo ran across the defender that was always going to happen.
VAR will check, though...
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:23 , Lawrence Ostlere23 min: Szoboszlai gets a shot off, forcing a good low stop from Kepa.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:21 , Lawrence Ostlere20 min: Post! Semenyo drives at the Liverpool defence and fires a shot away which crashes against the woodwork. Excellent by Bournemouth, this, who come again and earn a corner.
It’s a good game so far, very lively, and Liverpool are being well tested.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:1918 min: Lewis Cook has a bloody nose and he’s being told to leave the field for treatment, so briefly Bournemouth are down to 10 men.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:1715 min: A shot at either end, one from Semenyo, whose effort is blocked, and then by Gakpo, who forces a save from Kepa.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:14 , Lawrence Ostlere12 min: Salah gets his first sniff after pinching the ball from Semenyo on the wing, but Semenyo battles back excellently to regain possession, much to the delight of the home fans.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:13 , Lawrence Ostlere9 min: No clear chances as yet in the game, as both teams probe for openings in an even start.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:07 , Lawrence Ostlere5 min: It’s been quite a chaotic start, with a bit of a scramble in the Bournemouth box after a Robertson corner, and now an injury to Tyler Adams after he clashed with Mac Allister near the Bournemouth goal.
He took a hit to the head but seems OK to continue.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:03 , Lawrence Ostlere2 min: Wow, almost the perfect start by Bournemouth, as Antoine Semenyo cuts inside from the left and shoots low at goal, forcing an early save from Alisson Becker within a matter of seconds from kick-off.
Kick-off! Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:00 , Lawrence Ostlere1 min: And they’re off.
Bournemouth v Liverpool
14:58 , Lawrence OstlereThe players are out on the pitch, it’s a chilly afternoon on the south coast...
Bournemouth v Liverpool
14:52 , Lawrence OstlereSo we’re nearly ready for kick-off at the Vitality Stadium.
A reminder of the line-ups today:
Bournemouth: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.
Subs: Dennis, Tavernier, Jebbison, Silcott-Duberry, Adu-Adjel, Akinmboni, Winterburn, Kinsey, Rees-Dottin.
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Luis Diaz, Gakpo.
Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley.
There has already been one result today, as Nottingham Forest thumped Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0 helped by a hat trick from striker Chris Wood at the City Ground on Saturday, in an emphatic bounce back from last week's humbling 5-0 loss at Bournemouth.
Forest remain third on 47 points after 24 games to consolidate their hold on a top four spot that brings Champions League football next season, while Brighton are ninth on 34.
An own goal from Lewis Dunk in the 12th minute kicked off the scoring as Brighton's skipper lunged to clear Morgan Gibbs-White's low cross and poked the ball into the net.
Gibbs-White doubled Forest's lead in the 25th minute with a glancing header from Anthony Elanga's corner.
Wood netted his first goal seven minutes later when, left completely unmarked, he headed Elanga's cross past Bart Verbruggen. Forest continued to run riot after the break and Wood tapped home Elanga's cross from close range in the 64th.
The New Zealander completed his hat trick five minutes later with a penalty, awarded after Tariq Lamptey bundled Gibbs-White to the ground. Neco Williams got the sixth in the 89th and Jota Silva put the icing on the cake with a low strike in added time.
Liverpool want Salah to stay, insists Slot
14:34 , Lawrence OstlereSlot is not involved in contract negotiations as they are handled by sporting director Richard Hughes but he has made his thoughts clear to Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
"I speak with these players, I speak with them, not every day like Richard but quite a lot, and it would be ridiculous if in all these times I speak to them we have never spoken about the future," added the Dutchman ahead of the tough-looking trip to Bournemouth.
"But as you probably know, that is not something I am going to discuss. But it is not only with the three that are out of contract, you also talk about future things with other players as well.
"It's a non-stop process talking to your players, but it is also a non-stop process that I will not talk about in public."
Liverpool want Salah to stay, insists Slot
14:29 , Lawrence Ostlere"I would be surprised if there was anyone wherever around the world saying 'We don't want Mo Salah'," was Slot's response to the Saudi sports minister's charm offensive.
"He's doing so well for so many years that everyone probably wants him. He has done so well without my advice for a long time so he can probably keep doing what is best for his career even without my advice.
"But my advice to him would be different to the one (man) you just mentioned.
"Everyone wants him, including us - we want him to extend, of course. That is clear.
"I am not surprised that Saudi wants him - but I would not be surprised if other countries wanted him as well.
"He is old enough and wise enough and done so many smart things in his career he will make the right decision for himself and hopefully for us as well."
Liverpool want Salah to stay, insists Slot
14:24 , Lawrence OstlereLiverpool head coach Arne Slot wants Mohamed Salah to extend his contract with the Premier League leaders and has spoken to him, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold about their futures.
The trio are all out of contract in the summer and Salah, in particular, has made numerous public comments and earlier this month said a breakthrough in negotiations was "far away".
Speculation continues to link him with a mega-money move to the Saudi Pro League and on Thursday the country's sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said the Egypt international was "a big prize" and the country "would love to have him".
Liverpool rejected a £150million bid from Al Ittihad in September 2023, but with time ticking down on Salah's contract, fears continue to grow he could leave for nothing at the end of the season.
Liverpool prepare for kick-off at Bournemouth
14:20Arne Slot appears in good spirits as he inspects his surroundings on the south coast, in what it’s probably safe to say is his first ever visit to the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth team news
14:06 , Lawrence OstlereBournemouth are understandably unchanged from the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool team news
14:03So Liverpool line up as expected, as Arne Slot reverts to his strongest side having rotated in midweek. Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota return to the bench, which will be a welcome sight for fans with a busy fixture list ahead.
Bournemouth v Liverpool – confirmed line-ups
13:50 , Lawrence OstlereBournemouth: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.
Subs: Dennis, Tavernier, Jebbison, Silcott-Duberry, Adu-Adjel, Akinmboni, Winterburn, Kinsey, Rees-Dottin.
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Luis Diaz, Gakpo.
Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley.
Bournemouth v Liverpool
13:44 , Lawrence OstlereThe teams are about to land...
Bournemouth need new striker, says Iraola
13:42 , Lawrence OstlereThe Cherries' top-four credentials will be severely tested against Liverpool today.
Arne Slot's table-toppers are bidding to extend their unbeaten league run to 19 matches, while Iraola's in-form side are undefeated in their last 11.
The Spaniard said: "I'm much more interested in the game we have tomorrow. This is very demanding."
When asked if it would be difficult to find room for a new striker in his starting line-up due to his side's impressive form, Iraola said: "No, because we are really thin I think, so we need players.
"We need players because we need to recover the ones we have, or someone from the outside. But right now it's difficult for us because we are very short."
Bournemouth need new striker, says Iraola
13:36 , Lawrence OstlereBournemouth boss Andoni Iraola insists he still needs a new striker and hopes to bring one in on loan before the transfer window closes.
Iraola's side are currently not struggling for goals after scoring nine in their last two Premier League matches to climb into top-four contention.
Respective 4-1 and 5-0 wins against high-flying rivals Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have lifted the Cherries to within a point of fourth-placed Manchester City.
But Iraola, still keen to add more firepower, said: "Yes we are trying. We are trying and we continue in the same place. But we know it's not an easy market.
"It's one month, but most things happen in the last two or three days, so let's see what happens. The club is working on it."
Bournemouth v Liverpool – key stats
13:21 , Lawrence OstlereLast season: Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool, Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth.
Last five league matches: Bournemouth D W D W W; Liverpool W D D W W.
Top scorers (all competitions): Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) 12; Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 23.
Match odds: Home win 7-2, away win 4-6, draw 16-5.
Bournemouth v Liverpool – predicted line-ups
13:05 , Lawrence OstlereHere’s a look at how the two teams could line up. Liverpool’s XI doesn’t get much stronger:
Bournemouth XI: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Bournemouth v Liverpool – team news
12:50 , Lawrence OstlereBournemouth remain without long-term absentees Evanilson and Enes Unal, along with Marcos Senesi, James Hill, Julian Araujo and Julio Soler. In better news for Andoni Iraola, Alex Scott, Adam Smith and Luis Sinisterra are getting closer to returns.
Liverpool were able to rest most of their first-choice squad from the trip to Eindhoven, with a second-string unit impressing in a narrow defeat to PSV. The big guns should return here, and Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have returned to training - a call will be made on their involvement on matchday.
How to watch Bournemouth v Liverpool
12:41 , Lawrence OstlereBournemouth vs Liverpool is due to kick off at 3pm GMT on Saturday 1 February at the Vitality Stadium.
The game is not live on television in the United Kingdom, but extended highlights will be available on Match of the Day. The programme airs on BBC One from 10.30pm GMT on Saturday evening.
Bournemouth v Liverpool
12:33 , Lawrence OstlereLiverpool will hope to continue their charge towards a Premier League title as they face a tough away trip to in-form Bournemouth.
Arne Slot’s side were beaten in midweek yet still topped the Champions League standings, and the Merseyside club hold a six-point advantage at the top of the table with one game still in hand.
They will be understandably wary, though, of a home team that have put five goals past Nottingham Forest and four past Newcastle in their last two league outings.
Andoni Iraola continues to do fine work on the south coast and will hope for another significant success here to boost their hopes of securing a European place.
Bournemouth v Liverpool
11:33 , Lawrence OstlereHello and welcome along to live coverage of Bournemouth v Liverpool in the Premier League. We’ll have all the team news and build-up to kick-off at the Vitality Stadium right here.
