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 showcase squad depth
You needed to really feel for Bournemouth supervisor Andoni Iraola, coming into this recreation as he did with a frankly ludicrous 9 first-team gamers lacking by way of damage.
Liverpool, in the meantime, arrived on the south coast with each single participant match, a uncommon scenario that meant stars comparable to Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa needed to be unnoticed of the squad completely.
Distinction that so far 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 so far averted these issues may nicely show to be the rationale 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 shall be a priority and Slot defined that “he felt one thing” however “I can’t let you know precisely what it’s and the way dangerous it’s.”
2. What extra can we are saying about Salah?
The actual fact is, each journalist and fan is working out of superlatives to explain Mohamed Salah, and so the one approach to really convey his greatness is by reeling off the data he collects on a weekly foundation.
Towards Bournemouth, the Egyptian scored twice to maneuver himself previous Frank Lampard and into sixth on the Premier League all-time high scorers record.
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 massive moments, comparable to 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 it appears that evidently Alisson is now firmly again to his greatest for Liverpool.
Typically luck can play a giant half for a goalkeeper, however there was a sense that the Brazilian wasn’t fairly making the jaw-dropping saves we now have turn into accustomed to following his latest return from a hamstring damage.
However he has slowly discovered his toes once more of late and might have few doubters remaining following his efficiency in an important 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 recreation to forestall a aim that might have arrange a nervy end.
It bodes extremely nicely for Liverpool that their final line of defence is exhibiting the world-class type that made his identify once more.
4. Gravenberch amongst greatest on this planet
It’s humorous now to suppose again to the beginning of the season when most observers would have mentioned Liverpool’s largest downside was the No. 6 place.
Just a few months on, and so they possess arguably the most effective holding gamers on this 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 either side of Slotball
It could have felt slightly nervy for emotionally invested followers, however Liverpool’s first-half efficiency right here was arguably the most effective beneath 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 during which the Reds dealt with that was simply as spectacular as their early dominance.
Bournemouth pushed, however may 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 mandatory is precisely 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
