Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota deliver at Bournemouth as Reds cope well with Mohamed Salah’s absence

Liverpool could also be with out Mohamed Salah, however their sturdy run of kind has but to take successful because the Reds proceed to purpose for his or her first Premier League title because the 2019-20 season. Their newest present of dominance got here in a 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Sunday, a match that was billed as a check of their credentials. Liverpool handed because of a brace every from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, who had been ready to make sure the Reds would overcome the in-form Cherries and choose up their third win in three video games since Salah left to characterize Egypt on the Africa Cup of Nations.

The victors dominated in most classes on Sunday and by massive margins in some instances, however the two sides weren’t far aside in some attacking stats. Liverpool had 14 pictures to Bourenouth’s 11 and barely edged them out on anticipated targets — the Reds posted 1.61 to the Cherries’ 1.39. The league leaders finally outdid themselves to see out the victory, in some way managing seven pictures on purpose and placing 4 of them behind the online on an distinctive ending day.

Overperforming their anticipated targets has change into Liverpool’s trademark at occasions this season. The identical was true of their 2-0 win over Arsenal in FA Cup motion on Jan. 4, after they posted simply 0.64 anticipated targets and in addition to on a handful of days wherein they’ve racked up the rating. The development additionally continues on a person foundation on occasion —  Nunez scored twice off of simply three pictures whereas Jota scored on his solely strikes of the sport in opposition to Bournemouth. Jota particularly exemplifies the sample with seven targets in Premier League play this season and simply 3.27 anticipated targets.

Particular person sizzling streaks don’t make up the entire story behind Liverpool’s success thus far this season — they’re atop the Premier League with 46.52 anticipated targets and are completely on tempo with 47 targets thus far whereas Salah’s league-leading 14 targets additionally correspond along with his 14.87 anticipated targets. Loads of reward must also go their protection’s means — no aspect has conceded fewer than Liverpool’s 18 targets thus far, and their spectacular group was on show in opposition to Bournemouth, who had been restricted to only one shot heading in the right direction. That mentioned, overperforming in any class can not damage a title contender, particularly when the opposite statistics affirm that the general technique is working.

Liverpool have scored eight targets (together with one personal purpose) from six totally different goalscorers within the three video games Salah has missed thus far, which looks like a vote of confidence in Jurgen Klopp’s attack-first technique this season. The squad boasts a outstanding variety of notable goalscorers, all of whom appear desperate to play an element as they push for the title.

It is particularly excellent news for Klopp and firm within the wake of Salah’s harm setback. The Egypt captain picked up a hamstring harm throughout Egypt’s 2-2 draw with the Ivory Coast on Thursday, and, per TNT Sports, is anticipated to return to Liverpool to get better.

After the win at Bournemouth, Klopp mentioned the plan is for Salah to rehab with Liverpool however return to the AFCON in the event that they make a run to the ultimate, although he admitted that it’s not set in stone. The Liverpool supervisor mentioned he spoke with the participant immediately after he sustained the harm and that Salah has been in contact with the group’s physician since.

The Reds already boast a robust file with out him within the lineup — he has missed simply 11 video games for the group since becoming a member of in 2017 and so they have gained eight — however Klopp will nonetheless really feel inspired by the truth that the harm seems to be a short-term one.