Philippe Coutinho’s incredible solo goal got Liverpool’s party up and running as the Reds demolished Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium to climb into fourth spot in the Premier League.
After Manchester City had beaten Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on Saturday night, Jurgen Klopp’s men had a chance to go above the Lilywhites in the league table and got into their groove early on thanks to Coutinho’s masterful goal.
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The twinkle-toed midfielder had hit the post in the 10th minute with a free-kick but on his second attempt, found the back of the net in sensational fashion.
Dancing past two defenders after cutting in from the left wing, the Barcelona target beat Asmir Begovic with a low shot at the near-post in the 20th minute.
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren, who has come under a barrage of criticism after a series of underwhelming performances, dove in to head in the visitors second six minutes later after Roberto Firmino had kept the ball in play with an overhead kick.
Bournemouth looked dangerous on the counter, however, and should have reduced the deficit when Jermain Defoe was slipped in for a one-on-one but the veteran striker could only hit the post and Liverpool made them pay by adding a third on the stroke of half-time.
Mohamed Salah, the Premier League’s top scorer this season, notched his 14th league goal of the season after cutting in from the right and unleashing a low effort that evaded Begovic.
Post the break, Liverpool were in cruise control and despite taking their foot off the gas, never looked in danger of conceding.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose form has been encouraging of late, hit the woodwork after recovering the ball deep in the Cherries’ half on the hour-mark but Liverpool weren’t to be denied a fourth goal as Firmino found the back of the net with a glancing header six minutes later.
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Liverpool, with their ninth win of the season, climbed into fourth place with a tally of 34 points from 18 games and trail defending champions Chelsea, who are in third place, by four points now.
They have a massive Premier League clash with Arsenal to focus on next, for Friday’s tie at the Emirates is seen as a direct battle for fourth place as the Gunners trail the Reds by a solitary point at the moment. After back-to-back draws against Everton and West Bromwich Albion, Jurgen Klopp’s men have some impetus ahead of their trip to London.
Bournemouth slip to 16th place with the loss and Eddie Howe has a task on his hands for the Cherries look like they will be involved in the relegation dog-fight this season.