For this season, too, the Premier League remains with Liverpool. During the exhausting match between them and Bournemouth, the Reds won 2-0 at Vitality Stadium, still on top of the table, extending the unbeaten run wherein the two goals by Mohamed Salah. Arne Slot's side gave proof they will not be bent by anything. As expected, it made crystal clear that inevitably the title race has got to go via Anfield.
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A triumph built on efficiency
Anyone who came to expect a routine Liverpool win was wrong. Bournemouth, undefeated in 11 league games, never made things easy as the home side battled from the first minute, forcing the Reds to stay compact in defense, waiting for the right moments to strike. Salah, already in great form, took his chances and decided the match with one well-taken penalty and a beautiful goal in the second half.
The first goal came when Cody Gakpo was taken down in the box by Lewis Cook, a clear penalty converted with ease by Salah. Then 30 minutes into the second half, the Egyptian received the ball inside the box, cut past the defender, and curled his shot into the far corner, with Kepa Arrizabalaga given no chance. A goal that gave Liverpool the control and the win. {"}.
Arne Slot already expected a difficult match: "It was, as expected. So, I said before the game that after our home game, when we were 3-0 up at halftime, the way they attacked us in the second half, I already knew the great mentality and quality of this team."
Bournemouth fought hard but could not avoid defeat
The home side was not merely a spectator, on the contrary. David Brooks even found the net, but his goal was ruled offside. Justin Kluivert also had a big chance but missed an open goal. Bournemouth fought and created chances, testing Alisson Becker, but the finishing was not precise in the decisive moments.
The physical intensity was another level in dealing with the high pressing from Bournemouth. Every duel on the pitch, fought like the last. That had been an interesting challenge highlighted by Slot: "They have gained points against so many good teams, not just because of luck, but because they were intense. They are qualitative and that's why we knew that always it was going to be very difficult."
The impact of victory in the title race
Liverpool are now on 56 points, with Arsenal a full nine points behind, but still to play their game in hand. In the current Premier League scenario, anything could prove very costly, and the Reds are no different. Slot explained the importance of winning games like this: "Almost every game feels like this to me. We have had many exciting games until the end, and there have already been moments this season when it seemed like we were just not on the right side."
Liverpool's unbeaten streak and strength
So, accordingly, everything in Liverpool's campaign has been great. Now, they are unbeaten in 19 Premier League matches with 14 wins and five draws. Away from home, the team is very strong: 14 matches without a loss and nine wins. The last time the Reds went longer without defeat away from home was a run of 21 games between January 2019 and February 2020.
These numbers certainly reinforce the idea that Slot's team is a real title contender. With great competition like Arsenal and Manchester City, Liverpool have shown consistency and a competitive level that can make a difference in such a tough league.