Liverpool rout Bournemouth to reclaim lead

Mane continues scoring form

LIVERPOOL, England, Feb 9, (RTRS): Liverpool put aside talk of title-race jitters as they returned to the top of the Premier League with a confident 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday.

The win, secured with goals from Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum and Mohamed Salah, moves Juergen Klopp’s side three points above second-placed Manchester City who face Chelsea on Sunday and would return to the top on goal difference with a victory.

After consecutive draws, the pressure was on Liverpool to dispel any talk of them lacking the steel for a tight title run-in and after surviving a scare when keeper Alisson Becker had to parry a Ryan Fraser shot in the second minute, Klopp’s side Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah kicks the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool,

England on Feb 9. (AP)

Firmino.

The pair combined again in the 76th minute, this time Salah hitting the bar with a well-struck left-foot effort.

It could easily have been a more emphatic scoreline – against a Bournemouth team that was missing key attacking players in Callum Wilson and David Brooks.

Yet as the Kop sang “we shall not be moved” at the final whistle, it was clear that this was a much-needed victory and performance for Liverpool.

“Some of the play was mesmerizing. We could have scored more,” said captain Milner.

“It’s been a tough few weeks with players injured and ill. Georginio Wijnaldum was nowhere to be seen yesterday and then he produces a performance like that.”

The loss was Bournemouth’s eighth consecutive away defeat, their worst run of form on the road for 35 years.

Only bottom side Huddersfield and second bottom Fulham have conceded more than the 47 goals Eddie Howe’s side have let in this season. forward and floated the ball across the area and down into the path of Luciano Vietto. The Argentine, however, sent his shot just wide of the far post.

United’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku had an anonymous first half, outshone by his two French team mates. But he helped create the penalty that led to the third goal when he charged forward to pass to Juan Mata, who was bundled over inside the area by Fulham’s Maxime Le Marchand.

Pogba converted from the spot to put the game beyond Fulham’s reach, and was then substituted, most likely to keep him fit ahead of a tough schedule in the coming weeks.

United face French champions Paris St Germain in a Champions League last-16 tie, Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round, and host arch-rivals Liverpool all within the month.