Liverpool player ratings v Bournemouth

OPINION

Liverpool travelled to face Bournemouth on Saturday and were aiming to keep the pressure on Manchester City in the race for the title by racking up another win.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were able to achieve that goal as they beat the Cherries 4-0 to move top of the Premier League ahead of Man City playing Chelsea later on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah scored the opening goal of the game when he pounced on an error by Bournemouth keeper Asmir Begovic to make it 1-0 to the Reds in the 25th minute.

The Egyptian winger then quickly made it 2-0 in the second half after being played through on goal by Roberto Firmino.

Steve Cook then turned the ball embarrassingly into his own net to see the Reds go 3-0 ahead.

Salah made it 4-0 before the end of the match with a beautiful solo goal to seal his hat-trick, which will be replayed for many seasons to come.

Live 4 Liverpool have rated every single Liverpool player for their performances against Bournemouth, with one player scoring a 4/10 while many of his teammates shine.

Goalkeeper and defence

Alisson Becker – 7 – Good save to deny David Brooks giving the Cherries the lead against the run of play. Hesitated in second half to the point where you thought Josh King was going to pull a goal back for his side.

James Milner – 7 – Adapted to playing as a right-back well. Looked comfortable.

Joel Matip – 6 – Wasn’t overly tested in the first half and dealt with what he had too. This continued to be the case in the second half.

Virgil van Dijk – 8 – Calm, cool, composed.

Andy Robertson – 7 – Kept bursting forward in the first half. Had a couple of misplaced crossings but was constantly getting in good positions.

Midfield

Georginio Wijnaldum – 4 – Very quiet. Was a little sloppy with his passes at times in the first-half but it was only noticeable due to the high standards he has set himself this season. Winjaldum was perhaps a little redundant on Saturday as Fabinho and Naby Keita seemed able to dictate the midfield battle without his help.

Fabinho – 8 – Proved he has a powerful shot in his locker. Alongside Naby Keita, dominated the midfield battle by constantly making several tackles to stop the Cherries in their tracks.

Naby Keita – 8 – Two nutmegs in a row in the early stages, oozed confidence in opening stages. Continued to impress in the first-half.

Attack

Xherdan Shaqiri – 7.5 – Beautiful delicate pass to Mohamed Salah in the opening stages. Shaqiri was lively in the first half and continued to be a handful for the Cherries.

Mohamed Salah – 10 – Got in a few dangerous positions during the first half. Pounced on a mistake by Bournemouth’s defence to to put the Reds’ 1-0 up. Salah shrugged off being fouled in the second half and charged through on goal to successfully make it 2-0. The 26-year-old scored the goals and looked in great form, deserves the MOTM award. This is especially the case as he scored a ridiculously beautifully goal to make it 4-0.

Roberto Firmino – 7.5 – Kept dropping very deep in first half, which doesn’t suit him. It was his powerful shot that caused Begovic trouble which led to Salah getting gifted a goal. The Brazilian then played Salah through on goal for the second. Was his best performances in weeks.