Liverpool established an ominous nine-point lead at the Premier League summit after Mohamed Salah's double secured a hard-fought 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Salah opened the scoring after 30 minutes from 12 yards after Lewis Cook tripped Cody Gakpo inside the penalty area. It was the Egyptian's 177th Premier League goal, going level with sixth-placed Frank Lampard in the all-time top scorers' charts - and he surpassed the former Chelsea midfielder with a gorgeous trademark finish (75).

But the result for Liverpool was slightly overshadowed by Trent Alexander-Arnold being forced off with a muscle injury during the second half and he is now a major doubt for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham on Thursday.

Arne Slot said: "He asked me if he could come off and then he went down. He felt something, I can't tell you exactly what it is because it is only now an hour after it happened but it is never a good sign if the player is asking for a substitution.

"I would be surprised if he plays on Thursday but let's hope he is back as soon as possible."

Justin Kluivert's glaring miss with the goal at his mercy midway through the second period proved critical as Salah superbly curled in his decisive second just four minutes later to puncture the chasing pack's hopes of a twist in the title race.

Antoine Semenyo went close twice, rattling the post before drawing a fine save from Alisson, but the hosts were unable to make it a quadruple of home wins against the division's top-four sides having prised the scalps of Arsenal, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest prior to Saturday's showdown.

Slot's table-toppers extended their unbeaten league run to 20 matches, while ending the Cherries' 11-game unbeaten run in the process as another hurdle was overcome in their bid to be crowned champions for only the second time in 35 years.

The only table that will matter to Slot, however, is the one which has Liverpool seemingly in an unassailable lead, with Arsenal needing to respond at home to Manchester City on Sunday.

Slot continued: "It was the game we expected. They are so intense, they keep running and keep fighting every second. I said before the game, we were 3-0 up at Anfield at half-time and they kept going. We had to play at the top of our abilities and needed luck to win this game.

"They hit the bar or the post two times and they were constantly trying to force things. They had other chances as well and I don't think we actually controlled the game. It was an open and even game which everyone has here, because all the teams struggle here."