Liverpool 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 on Saturday.
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. Lewis Cook brought down Cody Gakpo and the decision withstood a VAR check despite the home crowd’s frustrations.
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.
Bournemouth vs Liverpool latest news
- Mohamed Salah brace at Bournemouth keeps Liverpool on course for title
- Slot confirms big Liverpool injury worry ahead of Tottenham showdown
Good bye!
18:23 , Jonathan GorrieThanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool’s win over Bournemouth.
Find our report and reaction below!
Slot confirms big Liverpool injury worry ahead of Tottenham showdown
18:22 , Jonathan GorrieLiverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold asked to be taken off during Saturday’s win over Bournemouth.
The Reds went nine points clear in the Premier League table after Mohamed Salah’s brace ensured Liverpool beat Bournemouth 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium.
Salah brace at Bournemouth keeps Liverpool on course for title
16:59 , Jonathan GorrieMohamed Salah scored a brace as Liverpool beat Bournemouth to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Read our full match report here!
FT: Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
16:57 , Jonathan Gorrie90 mins: It’s over!
Mohamed Salah’s brace seals a crucial Premier League win for Liverpool.
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
16:45 , Jonathan Gorrie82 mins: Semenyo almost sets up a grandstand finish but his shot from range flies just wide.
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool | Mohamed Salah '74
16:38 , Jonathan Gorrie74 mins: GOAL!
Mohamed Salah bags his brace with a fine finish. He beats Kepa by wrapping a shot into the top left corner.
He made it look so easy.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:33 , Jonathan Gorrie70 mins: SO CLOSE FOR BOURNEMOUTH!
Tavernier hits the post with a lovely strike before Kluivert fails to follow up the rebound!
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:27 , Jonathan Gorrie64 mins: Home fans fuming again for a supposed body check from Van Dijk on Ouattara.
The Dutchman goes into the book.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:23 , Jonathan Gorrie60 mins: Mac Allister now makes way for Jones.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:20 , Jonathan Gorrie57 mins: Home fans want Alexis Mac Allister sent off.
Already on a booking, he catches Christie late after making a clearance.
Nothing given but the Argentine is surely walking a tightrope here.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:16 , Jonathan Gorrie53 mins: Liverpool just haven’t got going here in the second-half.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:12 , Jonathan Gorrie49 mins: Brilliant save from Alisson to deny Semenyo from close range after a lovely through ball from Christie.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:09 , Jonathan Gorrie46 mins: Konate blocks a Kluivert that looked on course for goal!
Very good start from the Cherries after the break.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:08 , Jonathan Gorrie45 mins: Great ball from Brooks but Kluivert and Outtara go for a header at the same time, skewing it wide.
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
16:07 , Jonathan GorrieBack underway!
HT: Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:52 , Jonathan Gorrie45 mins: Salah’s penalty the difference so far!
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:43 , Jonathan Gorrie41 mins: Certainly enough here for Bournemouth to feel confident in the second-half!
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:40 , Jonathan Gorrie38 mins: Decision confirmed by VAR.
Brooks strike ruled out.
DISALLOWED GOAL!
15:38 , Jonathan Gorrie36 mins: Brooks powers in an equaliser with a wonderful finish but it appears Kerkez was offside in the build-up!
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
15:36 , Jonathan Gorrie34 mins: Why Liverpool were awarded the spot-kick....
#BOULIV – 27’
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) February 1, 2025
The referee’s call of penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed to have been a trip by Cook on Gakpo. The VAR also confirmed Gakpo was onside in the build-up.
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool | Mohamed Salah '29
15:31 , Jonathan Gorrie29 mins: GOAL!
Salah beats Kepa! 20 Premier League goals of the season.
Again.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:29 , Jonathan Gorrie28 mins: PENALTY CONFIRMED!
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:29 , Jonathan Gorrie27 mins: Cook collided with Gakpo just as the Reds attacker was gearing up for a shot.
VAR have confirmed the decision, but are still checking an offside in the build-up.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:28 , Jonathan GorriePENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
Cook judged to have fouled Gakpo.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:24 , Jonathan Gorrie22 mins: Solid save from Kepa to deny Szoboszlai from close range, albeit from a tight angle.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:21 , Jonathan Gorrie19 mins: Liverpool are starting to take a touch more control here.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:17 , Jonathan Gorrie16 mins; Decent save from Kepa to deny Gakpo’s shot from range, after the Dutchman did well to hold off Cook and cut inside.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:15 , Jonathan Gorrie12 mins: A poor defensive header from Alexander-Arnold allows Kluivert a shot on goal but Alisson saves well at his near post.
Liverpool clear the resulting corner.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:12 , Jonathan Gorrie11 mins: Brilliant from Semenyo, who accidentally plays a ball into Salah’s path before close the Liverpool forward done and reclaiming possession.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:10 , Jonathan Gorrie07 mins: Really fast pace to this, with Liverpool seeing most of the ball.
Bournemouth look fearsome on the counter, however.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:03 , Jonathan Gorrie01 mins: It’s Liverpool’s turn to attack now, as Mac Allister looks to force in the opener following a poorly dealt with corner.
Bournemouth block and then win the foul when the Argentine attempts an overhead kick in a crowded box.
Bournemouth 0-0 Liverpool
15:02 , Jonathan Gorrie01 mins: Bournemouth win the ball back and break within the opening ten seconds, with Semenyo forcing a good save.
Bournemouth vs Liverpool
15:01 , Jonathan GorrieKICK-OFF!
Bournemouth vs Liverpool
14:49 , Jonathan GorrieWarm-ups well underway as we close in on kick-off!
Warm-ups underway 💫 pic.twitter.com/NsS5BVQxsW
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 1, 2025
Bournemouth vs Liverpool
14:32 , Jonathan GorrieNottingham Forest have made quite the statement in the Premier League already.
They have just absolutely smashed Brighton 7-0!
Bournemouth vs Liverpool
14:21 , Jonathan GorrieThe Reds are checking in!
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 1, 2025
Confirmed Liverpool lineup
13:59 , Jonathan GorrieLiverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Diaz
Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Tsmikas, Quansah, Bradley
Confirmed Bournemouth lineup
13:59 , Jonathan GorrieBournemouth XI: Kepa; Cook, Hujsen, Zabarnyi, Hujsen, Kerkez; Adams, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Brooks; Outtara
Subs: Dennis, Tavernier, Jebbison, Silcott-Duberry, Adu-Adjel, Akinmboni, Winterburn, Kinsey, Rees-Dottin
Arne Slot confirms Liverpool transfer U-turn ahead of deadline day
13:24 , Jonathan GorrieArne Slot has confirmed Liverpool will likely make a U-turn on the immediate future of midfielder James McConnell.
The 20-year-old was included in the starting lineup as Liverpool lost 3-2 to PSV Eindhoven in their final fixture of the Champions League first phase.
Arne Slot reveals Mohamed Salah talks as Liverpool hope for contract agreement
12:48 , Jonathan GorrieLiverpool 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".
Arne Slot confirms Federico Chiesa progress at Liverpool
12:42 , Jonathan GorrieArne Slot has confirmed Federico Chiesa is in line for more of a first-team role at Liverpool.
Chiesa, who moved to Merseyside in August, started his second match in all competitions on Wednesday when a much-changed Liverpool lost 3-2 at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
The 27-year-old Italy international played the full 90 minutes against PSV, winning a penalty to give Liverpool a first-half lead through Cody Gakpo.
Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Latest Premier League odds today
12:35 , Jonathan GorrieBournemouth to win: 18/5
Draw: 16/5
Liverpool to win: 7/10
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Head to head (h2h) history and results
12:35 , Jonathan GorrieBournemouth wins: 2
Draws: 3
Liverpool wins: 18
Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Premier League score prediction today
12:32 , Jonathan GorrieIt’s going to be a major test for Liverpool, albeit they have passed most of them so far this season.
Liverpool to win, 2-1.
Liverpool team news vs Bournemouth today
12:31 , Jonathan GorrieThe Reds left the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Virgil van Dijk at home for the trip to PSV. All are expected to return here, while Joe Gomez is also back in training for Liverpool. Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota have also trained, although Curtis Jones is out.
Bournemouth team news vs Liverpool today
12:31 , Jonathan GorrieThe hosts will not have any of their injured players back for this game, although Marcus Tavernier returned last week. Luis Sinisterra is back in training but Saturday could come too soon.
Bournemouth vs Liverpool: TV channel and live stream for Premier League today
12:31 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel and live stream: The game will not be broadcast in the UK as it takes place behind the 3pm blackout imposed across English football.
Free highlights: Supporters, however, will be able to watch highlights on Match of the Day for free when it airs on BBC One at 10.30pm GMT on Saturday.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Welcome
12:22 , Jonathan GorrieGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Bournemouth’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Kick-off from the Vitality Stadium is at 3pm GMT.
