Liverpool back on top after 3-0 win over Bournemouth

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool regained top spot in the Premier League by getting back to winning ways as goals from Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Back-to-back draws against Leicester and West Ham had seen Jurgen Klopp’s men usurped by Manchester City on goal difference in midweek. But Liverpool took full advantage of their game in hand over the champions to open up a threepoint lead and put the pressure back on City when they host Chelsea on Sunday. Klopp had called on his side to enjoy the “excitement” of what promises to be a thrilling title race rather than being bogged down by the nerves of recent displays as they seek to end a 29-year wait to win the title.

And after Mane broke the deadlock midway through the first half to relieve any lasting tension around Anfield, Liverpool settled back into the stride that saw them win nine Premier League games in a row through November and December.

Wijnaldum’s return was Klopp’s only change from the 1-1 draw at West Ham on Monday and the Dutch midfielder’s pres- ence made a huge difference throughout. Salah should have doubled Liverpool’s lead when Wijnaldum unselfishly squared when played clean through by Roberto Firmino on a rapid counter-attack, but the Egyptian miscontrolled and allowed the Bournemouth defence to regroup.

Instead Wijnaldum scored the second goal Liverpool needed for some breathing space, scoring in a stunning fashion 11 minutes before the break.