Liverpool boss Slot says Bournemouth win one of toughest of season

BOURNEMOUTH, England : Mohamed Salah delivered the points for Liverpool but manager Arne Slot was most impressed with his team's grit as they survive one of their toughest tests of the season in a 2-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday.

Egyptian Salah tucked away a first-half penalty to edge his side in front and then gave them some much-needed breathing space with an exquisite second goal to go sixth on the all-time Premier League scoring charts ahead of Frank Lampard with 178.

Before, in between and even after Salah's goals, however, Liverpool had to do the hard yards against a Bournemouth side who had not been beaten for 11 games in the league.

The hosts twice hit the woodwork and had a goal disallowed and Liverpool were forced to dig deep to extend their unbeaten league run to 19 and move nine points clear at the top.

"It was a battle, but I knew it would be. After our home game when we were 3-0 up, they came at us with a great mentality and quality," Slot told reporters, referring to his side's home win when Bournemouth had 19 goal attempts.

"They have picked up wins against so many good teams and it's not by luck. They are intense, they have quality and it was always going to be very hard.

"Only a few (opponents) have been as tough as this. When it comes to running, they are so high up and if you want to have any chance you have to compete in terms of running, fighting, winning duels and that's what the players did."

Slot picked out Salah and goalkeeper Alisson as players who lead by example.

"If you want to win here against a team that is so competitive then you need a team performance and work-rate. That's what we have and you need some quality individuals that make the difference for you," the Dutchman said.

"That goal