Liverpool continued its victories in the absence of its Egyptian top scorer Mohamed Salah, who participated with his country in the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, and moved 5 points away from the lead with a great victory over its host Bournemouth 4-0, including a brace for both Uruguayan Darwin Nuñez and Portuguese Diego Jota, today, Sunday, in the round. 21st of the English Premier League.

Nuñez scored in the 49th and 90th +3 minutes, and Jota in the 71st and 80th minutes.

Liverpool achieved its fifth consecutive victory in all competitions and 14th in the league, expanding the points difference with its pursuers, Manchester City, to 5, knowing that the latter has a postponed match.

This is the third match that the Reds have won in Salah's absence, after defeating Arsenal 2-0 in the cup competition, and defeating Fulham 2-1 in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

On the other hand, Bournemouth lost its second consecutive league match after the last to Tottenham (1-3) at the end of last year, which is only the second in the last nine matches in all competitions.

The home team's balance froze at 25 points in twelfth place.

Things are good and the fun continues 👍 pic.twitter.com/HGk5uaNvei

– Liverpool FC (@LFC_Arabic) January 21, 2024

Delayed offensive effectiveness

Liverpool's offensive effectiveness appeared to be absent in the first half with the absence of its top scorer, Salah, who suffered a strain in the posterior muscle in his left thigh during his participation against Ghana (2-2) last Thursday in the African Cup of Nations, noting that Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo is also absent from Liverpool due to his participation. In the Asian Cup in Qatar.

Young full-back Connor Bradley (20 years old) played his first match with Liverpool in the league after participating with them in the cup and the League Cup, in the absence of international Trent Alexander-Arnold due to a knee injury.

German coach Jurgen Klopp's players relied on shooting from outside the area without any real danger to Brazilian goalkeeper Neto.

On the other hand, the home team only reached the goal of the other Brazilian, Alisson Becker, once, with a weak shot.

Liverpool showed a different face in the second half, and through a coordinated attack Nuñez opened the scoring after a series of passes, the last of which was via Jota (49).

Jota played the role of scorer when he took advantage of a pass from Dutch substitute Cody Khakpo (71).

The Portuguese returned to add his second goal, and the third for his team, after a cross from Bradley (80).

Nuñez scored his brace with a wonderful shot after a cross from Joe Gomez (90+3).