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What Arne Slot learned as Liverpool win to take another step in title race as Mo Salah shines

Liverpool took another step closer to the Premier League title as a Mohamed Salah double piled the pressure on Arsenal before they host Manchester City

[Arne Slot]

Arne Slot saw his side take another step to the Premier League title(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot saw Liverpool take another huge step forwards in the Premier League title race with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth.

Liverpool headed to in-from Bournemouth knowing how tough of an afternoon they had in store. Andoni Iraolas side had smashed Newcastle United 4-1 away from home before beating Nottingham Forest 5-0 ahead of the visit of the Reds.

The Reds found themselves almost falling behind when Antoine Semenyo slammed an effort against the post. However, Liverpool found the lead minutes later when Cody Gakpo was felled under minimal contact by Lewis Cook, seeing Mohamed Salah convert the subsequent penalty following a lengthy VAR review.

Liverpool again rode their luck in the second-half when Patrick Kluivert missed an open goal. But five minutes later, Salah doubled the Reds lead with a beautifully whipped effort into the far top corner.

Here is what Arne Slot learned as Liverpool piled the pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

Title defining trip

Liverpool entered the weekend with a six-point gap over Arsenal at the top of the table and travelling to one of the toughest assignments left on their calendar.

Bournemouths recent form and formidability at home meant this fixture was seen as a major step towards the title for the Reds if they won all three points.

Nottingham Forest moved level on points with Arsenal after hammering Brighton 7-0 in the early kick-off on Saturday. The Gunners must respond at home against Manchester City on Sunday or that gap will remain at nine points with a game in hand in Liverpools favour.

Mo Salah reaches new heights

The man behind Liverpools title pursuit was at it again on the south coast as he netted his 21st and 22nd league goal of the season either side of half-time. Salah moved onto 178 Premier League goals in just 285 games. Salah equalled Chelsea legend Frank Lampards league tally in 324 games less when he netted from the spot before he doubled the lead with 15 minutes of normal time remaining.

[Mohamed Salah]

Mohamed Salah was at his sparkling best(Image: Getty Images)

Speculation still surrounds the Egyptians future with his contract expiring at the end of the season and clubs, mainly from Saudi Arabia, sniffing around the winger. That talk wont disappear until Salah decides his future one way or another, but he proved yet again why Liverpool just need to cough up his demands.

Alexander-Arnold concern

Liverpools busy fixture schedule, which sees the Reds play four times in 10 days, could see the squad severely stretched, and an injury concern to Trent Alexander-Arnold wont help.

Alexander-Arnold went down and required treatment before the England star was then swiftly replaced by Conor Bradley. Slot will be holding his breath on Trents fitness ahead of the pivotal Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Thursday as Liverpool look to overturn a one goal deficit against Tottenham.

[Alexander-Arnold]

Trent Alexander-Arnold left the game injured

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Kerkez impression

Left-back is one of the areas that Slot will be keeping an eye on throughout the rest of the season ahead of a potential move for a replacement for Andy Robertson. The Scot is less of the flying full-back he has been and even lost his place to Kostas Tsimikas.

One of the obvious signings the Reds could pursue in that position is Milos Kerkez who lined up against the Reds today. The 21-year-old has been in great form all season and nearly registered a sixth goal involvement of the season when David Brooks saw a goal disallowed in the first-half.

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