Football news - Mohamed Salah nets hat-trick as Liverpool thrash Bournemouth

Mohamed Salah bagged a hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed Bournemouth 4-0 to go top of the table and continue their unbeaten run in the Premier League.

The Egyptian became the fastest player to 40 goals for Liverpool in the Premier League as he ran rings around the Cherries.

His first goal was controversial as he appeared to be offside when he ran in to pounce on Roberto Firmino’s shot which was parried by Asmir Begovic.

Jurgen Klopp, who made five changes to the side that beat Burnley including recalling Andy Robertson and Salah, saw his side not at their best but doing enough to get the job done. The Reds went 2-0 up in the second half when Stephen Cook handed the visitors an early Christmas present by giving the ball away and Firmino found Salah whose low shot went in via a deflection.

Bournemouth – without the injured Callum Wilson and Lewis Cook – saw their afternoon go from bad to worse when an own goal by Cook off his heel made it 3-0. And Salah, who had not scored in his previous three games, had the final say with a fine finish after rounding Begovic twice to seal the rout.

The result sees Klopp’s side go a point clear of Manchester City, who lost 2-0 to Chelsea in the evening game, ahead of the Reds’ must-win Champions League tie with Napoli at Anfield on Tuesday.

Should the first goal have stood? Eddie Howe will be seething at the linesman’s failure to flag Salah as he ran in to score with replays showing his shoulder was offside.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): After a sluggish start the Egyptian grew into the game. He was the quickest to pounce to score the opener albeit with a dose of good fortune before a nice run and finish for his second. The pick of the goals was his third after rounding Begovic twice and taking his sweet time before completing his hat-trick. His link-up play with Firmino was also exquisite.

BOURNEMOUTH: Begovic 4, Francis 6, S Cook 4, Ake 6, Daniels 6, Stanislas 6, Surman 5, Lerma 4, Fraser 6, Brooks 6, King 6. Subs: Mousset 5, Mings n/a, Rico n/a

LIVERPOOL: Alisson 7, Matip 6, van Dijk 6, Robertson 7, Fabinho 5, Milner 6, Wijnaldum 5, Keita 7, Shaqiri 6, Salah 10, Firmino 7 Subs: Mane 5, Lallana 6, Henderson n/a

23’ - GOOD SAVE! Stanislas threads it through to Brooks whose shot at the near post is palmed away by Alisson. The corner is played short, it comes out to Surman whose half volley goes wide.

25’ - SALAH SCORES! Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool: Firmino's long-ranger is parried and the Egyptian cooly sidefoots in the rebound.

48’ - GOAL FOR SALAH! Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool: Cook gives the ball away, Firmino finds Salah who jinks his way into the box before rolling the ball into the bottom corner.

68’ – BOURNEMOUTH SCORE AN OWN GOAL! Bournemouth 0-3 Liverpool: Cook slumps his shoulders after he puts in Roberton's cross with the outside of his heel.

77’ - SALAH GETS HIS HAT-TRICK! Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool: He runs onto Lallana's through ball, rounds the keeper twice, takes his time and then slots it in.