A Mohamed Salah hat-trick saw Liverpool beat Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium to, at least briefly, move to top of the Premier League table.
Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
‣ 8 Dec 2018
‣ Vitality Stadium
‣ Premier League
The Reds travelled to the south coast knowing victory against Eddie Howe's side would see them top the Premier League table, with Manchester City facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge later in the day.
Jurgen Klopp made five changes to his side from Wednesday's 3-1 win over Burnley as Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino returned to the starting eleven.
James Milner started his 500th Premier League game at right-back whilst Naby Keita started from the left in the absence of Sadio Mane, who was on the substitutes bench.
Image: Getty Images and Liverpool FC
It was Salah who made the headlines on Saturday however, with the Egyptian scoring an inspired hat-trick as he looked back to his best form ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Napoli.
The Reds cruised for much of the game as they looked in total control and in reality the result was never in doubt.
Liverpool will be waiting on Manchester City's result later in the day, with the hope that Pep Guardiola's side can drop points to rivals Chelsea.
Goalscorers
‣ 0-1: Mohamed Salah (25')
‣ 0-2: Mohamed Salah (48')
‣ 0-3: Steve Cook OG (68')
‣ 0-4: Mohamed Salah (77')
Salah gave Liverpool the lead half way through the first-half when Firmino's shot was palmed in his direction by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
He appeared to be in an offside position when the Brazilian shot, however his calm finish in to the back of the net was allowed to stand.
The Reds dominated possession for the rest of the half as they looked for a second goal, however they entered the break 1-0 up.
Klopp's side then doubled their advantage 3 minutes in to the second half as Salah picked up the ball in midfield and raced in to the opposition box.
He was caught by the chasing Cook, however he continued his run - such was his confidence on the day - and slotted home in the far corner past Begovic.
Image: Getty Images and Liverpool FC
Mane and Adam Lallana replaced Xherdan Shaqiri and Naby Keita not long after as Klopp had one eye on the huge midweek clash with Napoli.
The result was in no question when the brilliant Robertson's cross towards Mane's direction was met unwittingly by Cook, who saw the ball enter the back of the net past his own keeper.
Salah then added a fourth for the Reds with a classy goal to seal his hat-trick with 14 minutes to go.
The forward ran through on goal after another error from Cook as he rounded Begovic, not once but twice, before keeping his composure and prodding the ball home past Nathan Ake.
Image: Getty Images and Liverpool FC
The Reds now have 42 points from 16 Premier League games, having won their last five on the trot and conceding just six goals all season.
They lie in wait of Manchester City's result later in the day, before then turning their attention to Tuesday's huge fixture at Anfield against Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Man of the match: Mohamed Salah
Liverpool: Alisson, Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri (Mane 65′), Firmino (Henderson 81′), Keita (Lallana 65′), Salah.
Highlights
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