Liverpool boss Arne Slot hails 'real team performance' after Bournemouth win

The Reds claimed all three points thanks to a double from Mohamed Salah, who scored in each half at the Vitality Stadium. His first goal came from the penalty spot after Cody Gakpo was fouled by Lewis Cook, and he later added a spectacular curling shot 15 minutes before the final whistle.

Slot, whose side is now nine points clear at the top of the league, refrained from commenting on whether this kind of result is a key factor in winning championships. However, the celebrations from him and his coaching staff clearly emphasized the importance of securing these three points.

Bournemouth, who had already defeated Arsenal and Manchester City at home this season, entered the match in impressive form, boasting an 11-game unbeaten streak. They had recently demolished Newcastle 4-1 at St James' Park on January 18 and obliterated Nottingham Forest 5-0 a week later.

The Reds boss showered praise on the defensive performance of his side as well as the sensational Salah, who is top of the Premier League scoring and assists charts with 23 goals and 12 assists to his name.

"Only a few [opponents] have been as tough as this," said Slot, who will see his side's lead cut back to six points on Sunday if second-placed Arsenal win at home against Manchester City.

The Cherries hit the post twice, through Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier, and thought they had made it 1-1 when David Brooks put the ball in the net, only for a tight offside call to rule it out.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson also did superbly to make a vital save with his legs to deny Semenyo when the game was in the balance at 1-0, while Slot was quick to praise his side's defensive efforts.

"If you want to have any chance, you have to compete in terms of running, fighting, winning duels and that's what the players did," he said. "Having Mo Salah definitely helps in a game like this.

"You need a team performance, a work rate and individual quality. I want them to fight from the first to last second to get the maximum results - that's what you need to do to have any chance in this league.

"This team [Bournemouth] has done so well in picking up these points against so many good teams and it's not by luck. They are intense, they have quality and it was always going to be very hard."

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