AFC Bournemouth put in a valiant performance against league leaders Liverpool, but ultimately fell to a 2-0 defeat at the Vitality Stadium.
Mohammed Salah produced a masterclass in efficiency, converting a first half penalty, before curling in a delightful second to secure all three points for the visitors.
The winger barely featured throughout the ninety minutes, but as is so often the case, he was on hand to provide the finishing touches in the vital moments.
The Cherries were magnificent in spells, and struck the post on two seperate occasions, first through Antoine Semenyo and then Marcus Tavernier, but it was a day of missed chances for Andoni Iraola's side.
VAR once again played its part on the south coast, Bournemouth fans feeling that the first half penalty should have been overturned, as Cody Gakpo looked to have tripped himself in the Cherries box.
Bournemouth remain 7th in the Premier League after the defeat, and will travel to Everton in the FA Cup next weekend.
Andoni Iraola named an unchanged side from the 5-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest a week ago, which is little surprise as the Spaniard still only has 13 senior players available for selection.
Within the opening 30 seconds Semenyo found an opening, pouncing on a Trent Alexander Arnold mistake, but his weak shot was comfortably held by Alisson.
Gakpo had Liverpool’s first opportunity of the contest, the Dutchman cut inside and fired a strike towards the bottom left hand corner, with Kepa equal to it in the Bournemouth goal.
Semenyo then went within inches of giving the Cherries the lead, his left footed effort from a tight angle cannoning off the post, before Szoboszlai drew a smart stop out of Kepa down the other end.
The game continued in frantic fashion, and the visitors were handed the chance to take the lead when Gakpo went down in the area and Darren England pointed to the spot.
It looked certain that the winger had clipped his own ankles rather than being fouled by the nearby Lewis Cook, but VAR stuck with the original decision, and Salah coolly dispatched the penalty.
David Brooks thought he had levelled the scores when he expertly finished a Milos Kerkez cutback, but his celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag, as the left back had just strayed into an offside position.
The Cherries came out the blocks quickly after half time, Dango Ouattara heading just over, before Justin Kluivert had a goalbound volley blocked.
Moments later Semenyo had a golden chance to level up the scores, as he was slipped in on goal by Ryan Christie, but Alisson came out superbly to thwart the Ghanaian.
Liverpool remained a threat going forward, Alexis Mac Allister curling an effort just past Kepa’s left hand post, before Salah had the Spanish shot stopper scrambling as his shot rolled just wide.
The Bournemouth faithful were becoming increasingly frustrated with referee Darren England, as Dango Ouattara was penalised for a very soft foul in the middle of the park, just as he’d released Kluivert through on goal.
Tavernier replaced Brooks midway through the second period, and his first contribution was to rattle the post with a dipping, swerving 25 yard strike, with Kluivert unable to convert the rebound into an empty net.
With 15 minutes remaining, Salah made the Cherries pay for their missed opportunities.
The winger faced up Kerkez on the right hand side of the box, before curling a delightful left footed shot past a helpless Kepa and into the top corner, sparking jubilant scenes in the away end.
Bournemouth weren’t to be deterred, Semenyo creating some space on the edge of the area, but he fizzed his effort just wide, as another Cherries chance went begging.
In the end it wasn't to be for the hosts, and Liverpool remain at the summit of the Premier League.