LONDON – Liverpool shrugged off the absence of Mohamed Salah to move five points clear at the top of the English Premier League as Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez struck twice in a 4-0 win at Bournemouth on Jan 21.
The Reds’ title credentials will be tested while their star man is away with Egypt on Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) duty, although he is set to return to the club to continue treatment on a hamstring injury.
But Jota and Nunez stood up to be counted to secure a vital win at one of the form sides in the Premier League.
Bournemouth had lost just once in their previous nine games to climb comfortably clear of the relegation zone.
However, the Cherries were held at arm’s length in the first half before Jurgen Klopp’s men turned on the style after the break.
The visitors were restricted to pot shots in a first period devoid of clear chances, with Alexis Mac Allister and Nunez testing Neto from long range.
“It was obvious we needed to change something. We did and it worked much better,” said Klopp on the turnaround in his side’s display between the first and second half.
“Everything was better, we put them really under pressure and we scored some beautiful goals. Impact from the bench again as well so it turned into a pretty good evening.”
The game turned on one moment of quality from Liverpool to break the deadlock on 49 minutes.
Jota’s first-time pass put Nunez in the clear and the Uruguayan showed the poise he has often lacked in his Liverpool career to date to slot into the far corner.
Substitute Cody Gakpo then teed up Jota to fire in at the near post 20 minutes from time to end the game as a contest. The Portuguese got his second nine minutes later before Nunez added the gloss in added time.
“We started doing things that we weren’t doing in the first half and were probably doing things too quickly. It made us worse,” said Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
“We started leaving more spaces in the middle and weren’t as tight or aggressive. Liverpool don’t lose their intensity. If you don’t match them, it’s difficult.”
Meanwhile, Klopp said it “makes sense” for Salah to return to Liverpool for treatment on a hamstring injury.
“That’s the plan,” Klopp said, when asked if Salah would now return to Merseyside. “I think probably everybody sees it makes sense that he’s doing the rehab with us or with our people.”
However, Klopp left the door open for Salah to return to the tournament should he prove his fitness while Egypt are still competing.
“If Egypt qualify for the final and he is fit before the final, then probably yes,” added Klopp. “Why not? That’s clear.” AFP, REUTERS
