And Howe hail Salah after his treble sinks Cherries
a football game you need someone to finish it off, and what Mo did around his two goals in the second half is just exceptional.
“I don’t know many players who would score those two goals.
“The first in the second half was a foul actually, but he wants to score, stays on his feet and still scores.
“It’s very good for us; it’s just really brilliant what he did, I love that mindset. His desire to score goals is obvious; nobody should be surprised about that.
“And his third goal is outstanding again. Really how he set it up and all that stuff, that was good.”
And of Howe ranking Salah in the world’s elite striking echelon, Liverpool’s German boss added: “Well, I think Eddie Howe is one of the best managers I ever met to be honest, so how could I say anything different?”
Liverpool punished Bournemouth’s early sluggishness when Salah tucked home from Roberto Firmino’s spilled shot, but replays confirmed the Egypt hitman was offside.
The visitors killed any hope of a home recovery straight after the break, with the ruthless Salah shaking off that crude challenge from Cook before angling home in style.
Bournemouth’s hefty loss deepened when Cook lost his bearings and unwittingly flicked into his own net on the turn. Such a finish would have been toasted at the other end; instead it merely encapsulated a tough afternoon for both defender and hosts.
Salah then sealed his fine hattrick, Cook slipping in confusion with the Egypt striker turning Begovic inside and out before tapping home.
Liverpool equalled their 2008 club-record unbeaten Premier League run of 17 matches with their rout at Dean Court.
And now the Reds could set an outright club record in the Premier League by avoiding defeat against bitter rivals Manchester United on December 16. Klopp hailed the milestone for his side, but admitted with Manchester City still soaring too that it is unclear so far just what heights anyone must hit for league glory this term.
“I think I said a few years ago that we have to write our own history, so that’s part of our history,” said Klopp. “So of course it’s important but it’s not the most important thing in the world.”
In hailing Salah’s matchwinning showing, Howe admitted frustrations with the way his side slipped off the pace after the interval.
“He looked very good, his movement was very good, he was razor-sharp, we did struggle to handle him; he’s one of the best in the world,” said Howe.
“We had to open up once they were in front, and that produces more chances on the counterattack.
“The frustration would be with the second, third and fourth goals.
“We were well in the game at 1-0 down and I thought we were set up to have a really good second half.”