Premier League 2018/19: 3 reasons why Liverpool beat Bournemouth

Fifty years ago was the last time Bournemouth managed to keep a clean sheet against Liverpool and back then they weren’t even named AFC Bournemouth. However, 50 years on and the Cherries have been in good shape, managing to stay in the Premier League and this season has seen Eddie Howe’s men take things to another level.

However, facing Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, a team challenging Manchester City for the title was always going to be tough.

The Reds too have been great so far this season, and their record has been stellar which includes 12 wins out of 15 games in the Premier League. With Liverpool playing a crucial mid-week game against Napoli, Jurgen Klopp rested a few key stars but that didn’t matter with Mohamed Salah showing his class with a hat-trick.

That allowed Liverpool to surge past Manchester City for now, with Pep Guardiola and his men playing later tonight. But given that they play Manchester United, Wolves, Newcastle and Arsenal before facing Manchester City themselves, the Reds need to get all the points they can.

Here are three reasons why Liverpool beat Bournemouth:

#3 Mr 500, James Milner can still play everywhere

AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool FC - Premier League

He made his Premier League debut as a young 16-year-old for Leeds United all the way back in 2002 before moving to Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City and finally arriving at Liverpool. But, now a massive 500 Premier League appearances later and James Milner who is now 32 has shown he can still play everywhere. He started as a striker before cementing his place as a versatile midfielder.

However, with age comes change and Milner adapted beautifully to a more central position, running Manchester City’s midfield before moving to Liverpool. It’s really at Anfield the Englishman showed his ability to do anything for the team, playing as a left-back for the majority of the 16/17 season, with cameos as a midfielder.

Now on his landmark game, Jurgen Klopp, keeping in mind the midweek fixture against Napoli in the Champions League, opted to start the 32-year-old as a right back. This pitted Milner against the rapid Ryan Fraser and even Junior Stanislas, but the experienced star used everything at his disposal to make Liverpool’s right-hand side impenetrable.

#2 They’ve missed Naby Keita

Naby Keita was easily according to many critics and even a few fans, Liverpool’s best signing this season with Mohamed Salah winning last season’s trophy by a mile. The Guinea star walked in from RB Leipzig and stepped straight into the Liverpool midfield trio, replacing Gini Wijnaldum, adding even more energy and directness to the Reds’ attack. Not only that, but his defensive contributions were also more than welcomed by the Kop end over the last six months or so.

But when he went down injured against Napoli back in November, his presence was certainly missed with Jurgen Klopp opting to bring him back slowly and steadily. However, now back in action and firing once again, the Guinean was brilliant against Bournemouth, testing the likes of Nathan Ake and Steven Cook more than once.

While Jurgen Klopp did opt to bring the 23-year-old off with just under thirty minutes left, he certainly made enough of an impression to get a standing ovation from the travelling Liverpool fans, with many hoping he plays even better against Napoli.

#1 Does this mark the return of Mo Salah?

Mohamed Salah. What more is left to say about the magical Egyptian? He scores goals - brilliant ones as his Puskas Trophy shows - and is beloved all over the world. However, after the season he had last year, Salah’s second year with Liverpool was going to be the defining period of his time in the Premier League.

His chance to prove to the world that he was far from a one season wonder but instead somebody who Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp could depend upon. His critics claim he has struggled so far, but ahead of the clash against Bournemouth the Egyptian had still managed 7 goals and five assists. Salah walked off the pitch with the match-ball in hand and level with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the lead for the race for the Golden Boot with ten goals.

A simple hattrick to show the world and give Liverpool a boost ahead of their clash against Napoli. But the question on the minds of many is will that mark the return of the old Mo Salah? A hattrick will boost anyone, let alone a man who finds himself in scoring positions constantly.

However, with the mid-week clash against Napoli and then Manchester United next weekend, Mohamed Salah has picked the perfect time to come into form.