Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool: Player ratings as Salah brace downs spirited Cherries | OneFootball

Two goals from Mohamed Salah on either side of half-time afforded Liverpool a hard-earned 2-0 win away at Bournemouth.

Cherries boss Andoni Iraola admitted before the weekend's fixture that he "really doesn't expect" his side to keep a clean sheet against the Reds, and that prediction was proven correct by Salah's first-half penalty despite Bournemouth making the better start to an intriguing clash of in-form teams.

The hosts charged around the Vitality Stadium with more belief than their manager, unsettling their illustrious visitors with a feverish press. Liverpool were hardly passive onlookers, taking advantage of the space Bournemouth left in transition to funnel forward with their own fleet-footed frontline.

Moments after Justin Kluivert spurned a glorious opportunity to fire Bournemouth level deep into an increasingly ragged second half, Salah struck his second goal of the afternoon. Chopping onto his familiar left foot from the right wing, the division's top scorer bolstered his personal tally with a delicious curler beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Arne Slot, who had cut such a pained figure for most of the match, allowed himself a cathartic scream of joy on the touchline. Victory for Liverpool affords them a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table before Arsenal host Manchester City on Sunday.

Antoine Semenyo was a real threat down Bournemouth's left wing / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Subs not used: Will Dennis (GK), Matai Akinmboni, Maxwell Kinsey-Wellings, Zain Silcott-Duberry, Ben Winterburn, Daniel Adu-Adjei, Remy Rees-Dottin.

Liverpool player ratings (4-2-3-1)

Virgil van Dijk (left) and Mohamed Salah will both be out of contract this summer / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Subs not used: Caoimhin Kelleher (GK), Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Harvey Elliott, Diogo Jota.