Mohamed Salah’s controversial penalty put Liverpool on course for a 2-0 win at Bournemouth as the Premier League leaders moved nine points clear on Saturday.
Arne Slot’s side took the lead in the first half when Salah netted with a penalty awarded after Cody Gakpo appeared to trip over his own feet rather than go down from Lewis Cook’s challenge.
Bournemouth were left outraged after referee Darren England’s on-field decision was upheld by VAR.
Salah added insult to injury for Bournemouth when he struck again late in the second half to extend Liverpool’s lead over second-placed Arsenal.
The Egypt forward has 21 goals from 23 league games this season, reaching the 20-mark for the fifth time in his English top-flight career.
Salah has 178 career Premier League goals, moving him one ahead of Frank Lampard into sixth place in the competition’s all-time scoring chart.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 19 league games, winning 17 of their 23 top-flight matches in a remarkable run since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the close-season.
Pursuing an English record-equalling 20th title and their first in the competition since 2020,
Liverpool can sit back and wait to see if old rivals Manchester City can do them a favour when they face Arsenal on Sunday.
On Thursday, quadruple-chasing Liverpool will try to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final at Anfield.
Slot’s only concern was an injury that forced off England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in the second half.
Bournemouth had enjoyed home wins over Manchester City and Arsenal this season, while third-placed Nottingham Forest were thrashed 5-0 on the south-coast last week.
But their 11-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end against a relentless Liverpool side that look destined to end the season with the Premier League crown in the Anfield trophy cabinet.
Bournemouth nearly made the perfect start after just 12 seconds when Trent Alexander-Arnold lost possession to Antoine Semenyo, whose strike forced a good save from Alisson Becker.
Not for the first time in his career, Alexander-Arnold’s defensive deficiencies were on display as his poor clearance let in Justin Kluivert before
Alisson’s save spared his team-mate’s blushes.
Semenyo turned away from two Liverpool defender before rattling the woodwork with a stinging drive.
But Liverpool were capable of carving through the Bournemouth defence at will, with Kepa Arrizabalaga keeping out Dominik Szoboszlai’s effort.
The Reds were too precise and electric in attack for Bournemouth to hold them at bay and the opener finally arrived in dubious fashion in the 30th minute.
Cook was trailing behind Gakpo as the Dutchman ran through on goal, but he made no contact before the penalty was awarded.
Salah ignored the fuss as he stepped up to smash the spot-kick into the corner.
Rubbing salt into Bournemouth’s wounds, David Brooks had an instant equaliser ruled out for offside by VAR.
Liverpool had to ride their luck at times, and Alisson denied Semenyo, alertly racing off his line to save at the Ghana winger’s feet.
Alexander-Arnold escaped a VAR check for handball, while Alexis Mac Allister avoided a second yellow card following his foul on Brooks.
When Marcus Tavernier’s long-range curler cannoned back off the post, Kluivert looked certain to score, but he blazed the rebound wide.
Salah made Bournemouth pay for their profligacy in the 75th minute.
Curtis Jones’ pass sent Salah racing the area and he guided a fine finish past Kepa in typically predatory style.
AFP
