MATCH STATS
actually a poor pass from Mane, a rare vision to deceive the keeper and find the snuggest corner of the net.
Yet it was far more than that. It was Salah’s 70th Premier League goal in just 100 games for Liverpool, meaning he has scored at the fastest rate in the top flight in the club’s history.
Consider that. More than Roger Hunt – who admittedly hit 72 in 100 games but in the old Second Division – more than John Toshack, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Fernando Torres and Suarez, who he surpassed as the club’s all-time record overseas goalscorer in the league.
After three defeats in four games, the last
FACE SAVER: Adrian thanks Milner for sparing his blushes thing Liverpool needed was to go behind to a Bournemouth side who play decent football. The last but one thing they needed, was for VAR to fail again.
Joe Gomez was in control of a ball over the top, but was clearly fouled off the ball by Wilson, who passed out wide and then struck home the cross sweetly.
The assistant ref had no real excuse for missing it, the VAR even less excuse.
Suddenly it got a bit nervy but it was then Salah’s class told. A mistake from sub Jack Simpson allowed Mane to break. His pass was behind the Egyptian goal king, but the take, turn and shot were sublime.
From there, Liverpool found some of their former belief and arrogance, the football containing a swagger again. When Van Dijk seized on the ball inside the visitors’ half in the 33rd minute, the pass was precise, the finish ice cold from Mane, who has 18 goals himself this season now.
Klopp added: “The decision of the referee around their goal made it more tricky.
“We wanted to fight back and after that we had to fight back. After that it was exceptional.”
Cherries boss Eddie Howe said: “I thought we performed really well and I can’t be critical of what we delivered.
“When they had the ball our defensive shape and resilience was really good. But we turned the ball over too cheaply for their goals. The big moment was Steve Cook’s injury – to lose our captain was a hammer blow.”