Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining
Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash between Liverpool and
Bournemouth at Anfield!
There has already been one significant result on Merseyside this week in terms of the Premier League title race, with Manchester City beating Everton on Wednesday to knock Liverpool off top spot, and the Reds are looking to regain it today and seize back the initiative from the champions. Bournemouth have shown that they are capable of a giant-killing performance, although away from home their record is much poorer.
Let's have a quick look at the team news before we get underway...
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Alisson; Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho; Mane, Firmino, Keita; Salah
SUBS: Mignolet, Henderson, Sturridge, Lallana, Origi, Camacho, Alexander-Arnold
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Alisson; Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho; Mane, Firmino, Keita; Salah
SUBS: Mignolet, Henderson, Sturridge, Lallana, Origi, Camacho, Alexander-Arnold
BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Boruc; Smith, S Cook, Ake, Rico; Ibe, Lerma, Gosling, Surman, Fraser; King
SUBS: Begovic, Simpson, Mepham, Taylor, Mousset, Solanke, Surridge
KICKOFF: We're underway at Anfield!
We had a few gremlins in the system but we're back up and running now! Almost 10 minutes gone and it is Bournemouth who have come closest so far with Fraser forcing an early save from Alisson.
CHANCE! Salah has his first real sight of goal as he cuts onto his left foot and then shoots from the edge of the box, but his effort flies over the crossbar.
SAVE! Salah again works himself into a bit of shooting space and this time gets his effort on target, but it is simple for Boruc to collect.
It is one-way traffic at the moment, with Liverpool camped inside the Bournemouth half right now. It is looking ominous for the visitors at this stage.
Bournemouth started this match brightly, but since then it has been all Liverpool. It looks like a matter of when, rather than if, the hosts will take the lead at the moment.
As I say that, Bournemouth break out and put the Liverpool defence under a bit of sustained pressure. Liverpool are not entirely convincing at the back, but they do eventually manage to scramble it clear.
It has been better from the visitors in the last few minutes as they begin to stem the tide of Liverpool attacks. The hosts are still looking threatening when they do come forward, though.
UPDATE: Arsenal have scored the first goal of the 3pm kickoffs, with Alex Iwobi breaking the deadlock at Huddersfield.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH (SADIO MANE)
GOAL! Liverpool have the breakthrough, and it is
Sadio Mane again as he scores in a fourth successive Premier League game! Milner swings a cross into the box and Mane gets in front of Gosling to plant his header home!
YELLOW CARD! Diego Rico goes into the book for a late challenge on Milner.
There was again suspicion of offside about that Liverpool opener, with Mane perhaps leaning beyond the last man as the ball came in. The hosts will not care one bit, though!
CHANCE! Big chance for Liverpool to add a second on the break as Wijnaldum advances in a two-on-one situation. He has Salah in support and finds the Egyptian, but he puts too much on his pass and Salah cannot steer his shot goalwards as a result.
UPDATE: West Ham have also broken the deadlock in their game against Crystal Palace, with Mark Noble scoring from the penalty spot.
CHANCE! Brilliant pass from Matip as he opens up the Bournemouth defence from deep to find Firmino, who is through on goal. However, the Brazilian's first touch is just a fraction too heavy and that allows Boruc to gather.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-0 BOURNEMOUTH (GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM)
GOAL! Wijnaldum is back in the team, and he has graced his return with a beauty of a goal here! It is poor defending from Bournemouth, with Robertson able to float a pass over the top for a wide-open Wijnaldum. Take nothing away from the finish, though, as he takes the ball down before lifting a lovely finish over Boruc and in.
This is much better from Liverpool today. They were very underwhelming against Leicester and West Ham in their past two games but this has been a really confident showing so far.
If Liverpool can get another goal before half time - which looks entirely possible - then a few minds may just start turning to goal difference. Man City have the upper hand in that regard so far, but a big Liverpool win today could change that.
YELLOW CARD! Adam Smith picks up a cheap yellow for a late challenge on Keita inside the Liverpool area.
Steve Cook puts in another late challenge on Fabinho. No card this time, but Liverpool do have a free kick in a dangerous crossing position...
...which comes to nothing. The referee blows for a free kick the other way as soon as the ball is kicked.
UPDATE: Huddersfield are surely doomed now - they have fallen two goals behind against Arsenal now through Alexandre Lacazette.
CHANCE! Almost a Liverpool third right on the stroke of half time, and this would have rivalled Wijnaldum's goal. Salah picks up a loose ball on the edge of the box and flicks it up for himself before volleying it towards goal, forcing Boruc into a flying save.
There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
SAVE! Wijnaldum this time tries his luck from just outside the area, but he can't generate enough power on his left foot to truly trouble Boruc, who makes a routine stop.
SHOT! A rare sight of goal for Bournemouth at the other end as the ball falls to Lerma, who goes for goal from a long way out. It is a decent strike, but Alisson never looks worried as it flies high and wide.
HALF TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-0 BOURNEMOUTH
Exactly what the doctor ordered from Liverpool's point of view; they lead Bournemouth 2-0 at the interval and, barring a dramatic turnaround in the second half, should be returning to winning ways today.
It has been a much more confident display from the title challengers today and they are well worth their lead as they bid to return to the top of the Premier League table.
The opening goal arrived midway through the first half when Sadio Mane continued his fine recent scoring form but nodding James Milner's cross past Boruc.
As was the case last time out there was a hint of offside against the goalscorer, but it was a close one and he didn't wait for the flag as he got in front of Gosling and headed home.
Liverpool's second goal was a moment of pure quality from Wijnaldum as he collected Robertson pass before lifting an exquisite finish over Boruc for his 20th Premier League strike.
It was poor defending from the visitors, who left Wijnaldum in far too much space going forward, but the Dutchman still had lots to do and nothing should be taken away from his finish.
KICKOFF: Liverpool get us back underway at Anfield!
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 3-0 BOURNEMOUTH (MOHAMED SALAH)
GOAL! Stunning from Liverpool! It is a brilliant start to the second half as the front three and Keita combine to devastating effect. Keita lifts the ball through for Firmino, who flicks a brilliant back-heel into the path of Salah. The Egyptian then keeps his composure and tucks his finish into the bottom corner for goal number 49 in the Premier League for Liverpool!
That is surely game over now, but there are plenty more goals in this one for the hosts today. They are very much back to their best here.
Bournemouth are missing Wilson and Brooks today, but Howe would have still wanted his side to put up more of a fight today. They just cannot buy a result away from home at the moment.
Liverpool come pouring forward again and Salah makes his way down the left flank, but he clips the ball towards the edge of the box and it is too far behind Fabinho.
CHANCE! Liverpool should have a fourth! The ball breaks to Wijnaldum inside the box and he clips a cross to an unmarked Mane at the back post, but he cannot get his direction right and nods the ball wide of the far post when he should have done better.
BOURNEMOUTH SUB: A couple of familiar faces at Anfield swapping places here as Dominic Solanke replaces Ibe.
YELLOW CARD! Matip picks up a yellow card for running into Fraser off the ball, although it is a slightly harsh one.
We're past the hour mark now and you get the feeling that Bournemouth would be happy with the final whistle now. It only looks like getting worse for them the longer this match goes on.
Roberto Firmino has enjoyed a good game so far today, capped by that lovely assist for Salah's goal. He was poor against West Ham, but looks to be back to his best today - just like Liverpool as a team.
UPDATE: It may be a miserable return to Vicarage Road for Marco Silva - Andre Gray has just given Watford the lead against Everton.
Smith needs treatment here after getting a nick from Robertson, while Keita also takes the chance to recover following a crunching tackle from Gosling.
Just under 20 minutes remaining in this match now and the tempo has understandly dropped over the past 10 minutes or so. Liverpool know the points are wrapped up and they have taken their foot off the pedal a little.
BOURNEMOUTH SUB: Another change for the visitors as Lys Mousset replaces Lerma.
SHOT! Almost an immediate impact from the new man as he tries an audacious effort from range with his first touch. It has Alisson worried, but the long-range strike flies wide of the far post.
OFF THE BAR! Salah is inches away from his 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool! The Egyptian plays a one-two with Firmino before breaking into the box and firing an effort towards goal, but with Boruc beaten his effort crashes against the crossbar!
LIVERPOOL SUB: First change of the afternoon from Liverpool as Trent Alexander-Arnold replaces Wijnaldum. A welcome return for the full-back!
SAVE! Mousset is not afraid to have a crack, and this is another good strike. It is an almost impossible angle, but he catches the shot so sweetly and Alisson needs to push it behind for a corner.
CHANCE! Liverpool have had the chances to add a fourth here, and another one goes begging! Salah and Firmino combined to force the chance, with the latter's shot deflecting into the path of Keita, who blazes his finish over the top.
BOURNEMOUTH SUB: A third and final change for Bournemouth as Rico is replaced by Mepham.
Milner tries his luck from range, but his effort flies a long way off target. Not one of his finest.
Unconvincing defending from Liverpool as Bournemouth hoist the ball into the box, and it is eventually hacked clear with Mousset buzzing about. The hosts will want that clean sheet now having looked shaky at the back in recent weeks.
CHANCE! Yet another chance for number four goes begging as Liverpool launch a blistering counter attack. Firmino bears down on goal and has Salah on his left and Van Dijk on his right. This time he goes for goal himself, though, and his effort lacks power as Boruc makes the save.
LIVERPOOL SUB: Another change for the hosts here as Divock Origi replaces Mane late on.
CHANCE! Liverpool are cutting Bournemouth open at will at the moment. Another clear chance goes begging as Alexander-Arnold is this time slipped through on goal, only to be thwarted by a fine save from Boruc.
LIVERPOOL SUB: Another change for the hosts here as Daniel Sturridge replaces Firmino.
There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this match.
FULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 3-0 BOURNEMOUTH
Easy as you like for Liverpool in the end as they return to winning ways, top spot and form with a comfortably 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.
Mane, Wijnaldum and Salah were all on the scoresheet for the Reds, who could have won by a lot more but for some errant finishing in the second half, but it is job done and the pressure now piles back on to Manchester City ahead of their clash with Chelsea on Sunday.
Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon!
Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash between Liverpool and Bournemouth as the hosts regain top spot with a comfortable victory. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too.
From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
