Salah Double sends Liverpool nine points clear

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.² Mohamed Salah was the hero for the Reds, scoring twice to secure a crucial win that keeps them on course for their first league title since 2020.³

Salah opened the scoring with a 30th-minute penalty after Cody Gakpo was fouled in the box. Bournemouth, who had been unbeaten in their previous 11 league matches, pushed for an equalizer, but Alisson produced a string of fine saves to deny Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier.

Salah then sealed the victory with a superb curling effort in the 78th minute, taking his Premier League goal tally to 178 and moving him ahead of Frank Lampard into sixth on the all-time list.⁴

This victory was a testament to Liverpool’s resilience and determination. Despite facing a tough challenge from Bournemouth, who had already beaten Arsenal, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest this season, the Reds held firm and secured a vital win.

Salah’s performance once again highlighted his importance to Liverpool. The Egyptian forward is the league’s top scorer and has now scored at least 20 goals in five Premier League seasons, a feat only surpassed by Alan Shearer, Sergio Aguero, and Harry Kane.

With Salah’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Liverpool are keen to secure his long-term future. Manager Arne Slot recently confirmed that he has spoken to Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold about extending their contracts.⁵

“Everyone wants him, including us – we want him to extend, of course. That is clear,” Slot said.

Liverpool’s victory moves them nine points clear of Arsenal, although the Gunners have a game in hand and could reduce the gap to six points with a win over Manchester City on Sunday.

Despite the defeat, Bournemouth remain in seventh place and are still on course for their best-ever season in the Premier League.⁶ They will be hoping to bounce back from this setback and continue their push for European qualification.