Salah hat-trick guides Liverpool to easy win over Bournemouth
BOURNEMOUTH: Liverpool delivered a clear sign they intend to push Manchester City all the way in the Premier League with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday that was capped by a hat-trick from Mohamed Salah.
This victory, the Reds’ fifth consecutive league win, secured with the additional help of a Steve Cook own-goal, extended Jurgen Klopp’s side’s unbeaten start to the league season.
Salah’s contribution was central to Liverpool’s success — the Egyptian has struggled to match his outstanding levels of last sea- son but with 10 league goals to his name, he is now hitting his stride.
He may have benefited from a close offside decision for the 25thminute opener that gave Liverpool a half-time lead, but the finishes for his two second-half goals were outstanding.
Overall, Liverpool manager Klopp could be satisfied with the manner in which his side eased their way to victory ahead of the midweek Champions League meeting with Napoli.
Bournemouth’s hopes of halting Liverpool’s progress suffered a blow when Callum Wilson, the England international who has scored eight league goals this season, was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Defensive errors, combined with a dubious offside decision for the opening goal, meant Bournemouth had little chance to impose themselves on a Liverpool side that never had to find top gear to secure three points.