AFC Bournemouth secured one of the shock results of the season as they claimed a 1-0 win over Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries climbed out of the relegation zone after a dogged performance at home.
Bournemouth were denied a point at Arsenal last week by a late goal, and were up against a Liverpool side that humbled Manchester United 7-0 in the same weekend. The Reds won the reverse fixture earlier this season by nine unreplied goals and were looking for a similar result away from home.
Liverpool started the game with greater intensity than their hosts and forced a goal line clearance inside six minutes. Cherries midfielder Jefferson Lerma was called into action to clear a header from Virgil Van Dijk off the line with goalkeeper Neto beaten.
The home side took the lead after 28 minutes as they caught the Reds out with a route one ball over the top. The long pass found the run of impressive winger Dango Ouattara, who spun and sped past Van Dijk before sending a cutback to the middle of the box for Danish-Nigerian midfielder Phillip Billing to fire home his sixth goal of the season for the Cherries.
Liverpool were handed a lifeline in the 68th minute after substitute Diogo Jota saw his header come back off the arm of Bournemouth defender Adam Smith. The VAR awarded the Reds a penalty, which Mohamed Salah stepped up to take. The Egyptian forward, however, fired his effort wide of the goal, spurning the opportunity to draw his side level.
Bournemouth held on for a hard-earned win, only the second in their history against Liverpool. The Cherries have now moved out of the relegation zone with the win, despite having played a game more than their immediate rivals. Liverpool remain three points adrift of a top four place.
