Bournemouth v Liverpool LIVE: Result after Mohamed Salah's double settles Premier League clash
Can Liverpool’s march towards the title survive a testing trip to Bournemouth? Follow all the action from a huge Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium
Liverpool moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League as Mohamed Salah scored twice in a 2-0 win against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Arne Slot's leaders were aiming to become to first team to beat their hosts in the league since November 23 and they were given a stern test en route to ending an 11-match unbeaten run for Andoni Iraola's side.
The league's top scorer Salah, as so often during this wonderful Liverpool season, was the difference, scoring a penalty in the first half and a brilliant solo goal in the second to secure his team's 17th win in their 23 games, but along the way Bournemouth put up a real fight.
Bournemouth need new striker, says Iraola
The Cherries' top-four credentials will be severely tested against Liverpool today.
Arne Slot's table-toppers are bidding to extend their unbeaten league run to 19 matches, while Iraola's in-form side are undefeated in their last 11.
The Spaniard said: "I'm much more interested in the game we have tomorrow. This is very demanding."
When asked if it would be difficult to find room for a new striker in his starting line-up due to his side's impressive form, Iraola said: "No, because we are really thin I think, so we need players.
"We need players because we need to recover the ones we have, or someone from the outside. But right now it's difficult for us because we are very short."
Bournemouth need new striker, says Iraola
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola insists he still needs a new striker and hopes to bring one in on loan before the transfer window closes.
Iraola's side are currently not struggling for goals after scoring nine in their last two Premier League matches to climb into top-four contention.
Respective 4-1 and 5-0 wins against high-flying rivals Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have lifted the Cherries to within a point of fourth-placed Manchester City.
But Iraola, still keen to add more firepower, said: "Yes we are trying. We are trying and we continue in the same place. But we know it's not an easy market.
"It's one month, but most things happen in the last two or three days, so let's see what happens. The club is working on it."
Bournemouth v Liverpool – key stats
Last season: Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool, Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth.
Last five league matches: Bournemouth D W D W W; Liverpool W D D W W.
Top scorers (all competitions): Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth) 12; Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 23.
Match odds: Home win 7-2, away win 4-6, draw 16-5.
Bournemouth v Liverpool – predicted line-ups
Here’s a look at how the two teams could line up. Liverpool’s XI doesn’t get much stronger:
Bournemouth XI: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Bournemouth v Liverpool – team news
Bournemouth remain without long-term absentees Evanilson and Enes Unal, along with Marcos Senesi, James Hill, Julian Araujo and Julio Soler. In better news for Andoni Iraola, Alex Scott, Adam Smith and Luis Sinisterra are getting closer to returns.
Liverpool were able to rest most of their first-choice squad from the trip to Eindhoven, with a second-string unit impressing in a narrow defeat to PSV. The big guns should return here, and Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have returned to training - a call will be made on their involvement on matchday.
How to watch Bournemouth v Liverpool
Bournemouth vs Liverpool is due to kick off at 3pm GMT on Saturday 1 February at the Vitality Stadium.
The game is not live on television in the United Kingdom, but extended highlights will be available on Match of the Day. The programme airs on BBC One from 10.30pm GMT on Saturday evening.
Bournemouth v Liverpool
Liverpool will hope to continue their charge towards a Premier League title as they face a tough away trip to in-form Bournemouth.
Arne Slot’s side were beaten in midweek yet still topped the Champions League standings, and the Merseyside club hold a six-point advantage at the top of the table with one game still in hand.
They will be understandably wary, though, of a home team that have put five goals past Nottingham Forest and four past Newcastle in their last two league outings.
Andoni Iraola continues to do fine work on the south coast and will hope for another significant success here to boost their hopes of securing a European place.
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