Mohamed Salah will take the headlines for Liverpool after their 2-0 win, deservedly so, however the win at Bournemouth was a nod to why Arne Slot‘s facet have a stranglehold on high spot.
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
Premier League (23) | Vitality StadiumFebruary 1, 2025
Targets: Salah pen 30′, 75′
1. Reds exhibit squad depth
You needed to really feel for Bournemouth supervisor Andoni Iraola, coming into this sport as he did with a frankly ludicrous 9 first-team gamers lacking by way of harm.
Liverpool, in the meantime, arrived on the south coast with each single participant match, a uncommon scenario that meant stars resembling Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa needed to be omitted of the squad fully.
Distinction that up to now final season, when the Reds had been going by way of an identical disaster to their opponents all whereas being anticipated to maintain up Premier League title-winning tempo.
That they’ve to this point prevented these issues might properly show to be the explanation they recover from the road this time round.
It may also imply extra individuals recognise that, in a standard marketing campaign not beset by a freakish variety of health points, Liverpool possess the strongest squad within the division.
Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s withdraw can be a priority and Slot defined that “he felt one thing” however “I can not inform you precisely what it’s and the way dangerous it’s.”
2. What extra can we are saying about Salah?
The very fact is, each journalist and fan is operating out of superlatives to explain Mohamed Salah, and so the one technique to really convey his greatness is by reeling off the information he collects on a weekly foundation.
In opposition to Bournemouth, the Egyptian scored twice to maneuver himself previous Frank Lampard and into sixth on the Premier League all-time high scorers listing.
It was a brace that additionally meant he matched Thierry Henry in hitting the 20-goal mark within the division for the fifth time, with solely Alan Shearer (seven occasions), Sergio Aguero (six) and Harry Kane (six) boasting extra.
In fact, the true fantastic thing about Salah is that he can ship within the huge moments, resembling scoring twice on this tough take a look at of Liverpool’s title credentials.
3. Alisson again to his greatest
It has been a gradual course of, however plainly Alisson is now firmly again to his greatest for Liverpool.
Generally luck can play an enormous half for a goalkeeper, however there was a sense that the Brazilian wasn’t fairly making the jaw-dropping saves we now have change into accustomed to following his latest return from a hamstring harm.
However he has slowly discovered his toes once more of late and might have few doubters remaining following his efficiency in a vital win on the south coast.
Though the Reds had been usually good defensively, their goalkeeper nonetheless needed to preserve out 0.75xGOT, together with by way of an outstanding reflex save down low to his proper late within the sport to stop a aim that might have arrange a nervy end.
It bodes extremely properly for Liverpool that their final line of defence is exhibiting the world-class kind that made his title once more.
4. Gravenberch amongst greatest on the planet
It’s humorous now to assume again to the beginning of the season when most observers would have mentioned Liverpool’s greatest downside was the No. 6 place.
A number of months on, they usually possess arguably top-of-the-line holding gamers on the planet in Ryan Gravenberch.
The Dutchman confirmed his high quality once more right here, successful extra tackles (4) and extra duels (9) than every other participant on the pitch, in addition to finishing passes on the highest price (93%).
It’s greater than any Reds supporter dared dream of when he was tried there for the primary time late in pre-season.
5. Liverpool present each side of Slotball
It might have felt slightly nervy for emotionally invested followers, however Liverpool’s first-half efficiency right here was arguably top-of-the-line underneath Arne Slot.
The guests utterly managed the opening 45 minutes, racking up 1.93xG all whereas limiting a superb Bournemouth facet to a paltry 0.18xG.
In fact, a response from Iraola’s facet was inevitable, however the method by which the Reds dealt with that was simply as spectacular as their early dominance.
Bournemouth pushed, however might solely muster 0.82xG within the second interval earlier than in the end being undone by Salah on the break.
That this workforce is able to each dominating video games and grinding them out when crucial is strictly why they’re sat high of the pile, 9 factors away from Arsenal forward of their assembly with Man Metropolis on Sunday.
For the Reds, consideration subsequent turns to home Cup motion with Tottenham and Plymouth up subsequent earlier than the journey to Everton subsequent midweek.
Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool
