Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah applauds fans after the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on February 1, 2025. Liverpool won the game 2-0. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Bournemouth, United Kingdom: 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.
"The referee's call of penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR - with the challenge deemed to have been a trip by Cook on Gakpo. The VAR also confirmed Gakpo was onside in the build-up," the Premier League said in a statement.
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.
Persuing 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.
