Liverpool established an ominous nine-point lead on the Premier League summit after Mohamed Salah's Double had insured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Bournemouth in the Vitality Stadium.
Salah opened the score after 30 minutes from 12 meters after Lewis Cook stumbled in the penalty area. It was the 177th Premier League target of the Egyptian League, equal to the sixth placed Frankard in the top scorersmakers of all time and he surpassed the former Chelsea midfielder with a beautiful trademark finish (75).
But the result for Liverpool was somewhat overshadowed by Trent Alexander-Arnold with a muscle injury in the second half and he is now a big doubt for the semi-final second stage of the Carabao Cup against Tottenham on Thursday, Live on Sky Sports.
Arne Slot said: “He asked me if he could get off and then he went down. He felt something, I can't tell you exactly what it is because it only happened an hour after it has happened, but it is never a good sign If the player asks for a replacement.
“It would surprise me if he played on Thursday, but let's hope he will be back as soon as possible.”
Justin Kluivert's striking Miss with the aim of his grace halfway through the second period turned out to be crucial because Salah curled only four minutes later in his decisive second in his decisive second to pierce the hope of the Chasing Pack on a turn in the title race .
Antoine Semenyo went close twice, rattled the pole before he pulled a nice salvation from Alisson, but the hosts were unable to make it a quadruple home for the top-four lace of the division that the scores of Arsenal City, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest Prior have rated on Saturday's confrontation.
Slot's tables expanded their undefeated competition run to 20 games, while they end the 11-game unbeaten run of the Cherries in the trial, because another obstacle was overcome in their attempt to be crowned champion for the second time in 35 years.
The only table that will matter to slot, however, is the one who apparently has Liverpool in an inviolable lead, where Arsenal has to respond to Manchester City at home on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Slot continued: “It was the game we had expected. They are so intense, they keep running and keep fighting every second. I said before the game, we were 3-0 in Anfield during the break and they kept going. To at the top. Our skills to play and was lucky to win this game.
“They hit the bar or the post twice and they constantly tried to force things. They also had other opportunities and I don't think we actually checked the game. It was an open and even game that everyone has here, because all teams struggle here “
Processional Feel to Liverpool's title costs now
Sky Sports' Ben Grounds in the Vitality Stadium:
We are now outside the point where the most relevant question about Liverpool is or the father of Slot thinks they have played well.
The question of whether his side will win the Premier League in his first season that is in charge can certainly no longer have a debate. They haven't played anyone? Certainly, even the most drawn and pessimistic Liverpudlian must now accept that it is a foregone conclusion.
The decreasing degree of media attention on the Serenity of Slot will not relate to those who crave the Inches column. Even the chatter of Alexander-Arnold's contract has become quiet. Of greater care, the severity of the muscle injury that he sustained on the south coast will immediately be.
Competition, and the chase, is what neutral want, but it is time to cover Liverpool into the inevitable trophy parade.
The best team in the competition, with the most complete team, the least injuries that matter and crucial now the respect of all their opponents.
Iraola – like Thomas Frank a few weeks ago – decided that they are the best in the competition, indeed the best in Europe. His team was defeated for the first time since 23 November. It was always a special outfit to end that impressive series.
Champions League top dogs and now nine points clearly at their domestic top.
They still have to go opposite Everton twice, but they can now afford to lose both games and not be caught, so is their superior target difference for Arsenal.
A stumbling would be a good copy, but you cannot opt for vulnerabilities that are not stacked compared to the problems between rivals. In reality, the gap will probably only become wider.
Bournemouth defeated but far from shame
Salah, as so often during this beautiful Liverpool season, was the difference and scored a penalty in the first half and a brilliant solo goal in the second to secure the 17th victory of his team in their 23 games, but brought along the way Bournemouth a real fight.
Things did not go on the road of the home team during a first half in which they hit the post, a goal was allowed and fell on the back after a controversial penal prize.
It was from a rapid transition, the kind in which Bournemouth excelled this season, that Liverpool won their Spot-Kick.
Gakpo seemed to have become out of the cook when the couple chased a long ball into the home team's box. The Liverpool player stumbled, although there was more than a suggestion that he might have stumbled over his own foot. VAR confirmed the decision on the field of Darren England, and from the place Salah lipped the ball just past Kepa's dive.
Bournemouth -Baas Andoni Iraola is of the opinion that the decision against his side has taken effect and refers to the inconsistency that is inevitable in the course of a full campaign.
“For me, if you take this fine, it can go both sides,” he disputed. “It is probably a light touch, I have not seen the piece, but it stumbles after a light touch.
“Evanilson against Brentford, exactly the same piece. It is clearer. So I accept that you call it, you call it perfect. You don't mention it, you don't mention it, perfect. You don't call it and you call the other person, I complain. “
A VAR call from Haarlijn denied David Brooks an equalizer, Milos Kerkez ruled that he was fractional offside before his teammate would have been a great goal.
Replacement Marcus Tavernier cleverly got rid of Andy Robertson within a mustache of leveling, before he opened his body and sent an attempt that crashed against the inside of the post, leaning back with Kluivert to lift the rebound glittering.
The Cherries have now hit the Premier League 16 times this season, most of each party. Titles are extracted on such fine margins.
Iraola added: “Of course we did not get the result, but I think we have given ourselves a chance. I think we have played a high -level game, both teams. I think the quality of the game is quite high has been.
“But against these top teams, I think you sometimes need these small details with your side. We hit the mail, we hit the mail again, second message, the goal, just a few millimeters, not allowed.
“We have to punish them because I think we knew that we would admit some chances because both teams played openly open, there will be transitions for both teams and we would probably have had to score to put them under pressure.”
Player of the game – Mohamed Salah
Liverpool Vooruit Mohamed Salah speaks with Sky Sports:
“It feels a bit different, but last season we were the same, the season before we were very close. But we have to stay humble and take every game at the same time and we don't have to think further. Think of every game.
“Scoring goals and keep winning, it's an incredible feeling. But the main goal is to win the Premier League with the team. We're going in the right direction, so let's continue. Now it's time to relax and enjoy .
“The defense is incredible. Alisson knows how good he is for us. We played together for six or seven years and then one or two in Rome. He works very hard, I'm happy for him.”
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