CHERRIES bolstered their survival chances with a 1-0 win over Liverpool at the weekend, Philip Billing’s goal the difference.

Whilst results over the weekend saw Cherries drop back into the bottom three following a brief foray above the dotted line, victory has improved spirits around the Vitality Stadium.

The return of David Brooks deservedly also caught headlines, whilst questions regarding Jordan Zemura's absence after a "club decision" added little further light to the situation.

With so much to discuss, we have selected a few of the bigger talking points from Saturday's game.

Lloyd Kelly solid at left-back

Bournemouth Echo:

Lloyd Kelly was a standout performer in a fantastic team effort, the former club captain returning from injury with aplomb.

Considering that during his injury-enforced absence he was also stripped of the captain’s armband, it was an assured display against a threatening opponent.

The Bristolian made five clearances, as well as two interceptions and six ball recoveries, all whilst also ensuring no opposition player managed to bypass him.

Depth at left-back has been an issue for Cherries all campaign, especially when Jordan Zemura has been injured. Stalwart Adam Smith has moonlighted on the opposite flank, the same going for Ryan Fredericks in his limited appearances.

January signing Matias Vina, on loan with a potential permanent deal included in his move from Roma, has been kept out by injury, but Kelly’s display against one of the best attackers in the world – Mo Salah – could leave O’Neil with a selection headache at the position.

That is surprising considering O’Neil’s current first-choice, Zemura, is being kept out of the team due to his contract stance. The Zimbabwean’s position in negotiations could be severely weakened if Kelly can build on his performance against Liverpool.

Christie’s calmness off the bench

Bournemouth Echo:

Ryan Christie has found gametime hard to come by since the influx of attacking talents at Cherries in the most recent transfer window.

January additions Hamed Traore, Dango Ouattara, and Antoine Semenyo all operate in similar positions to the Scot.

However, he has been a trusted substitute of O’Neil’s, and his appearance off the bench against Liverpool proved why.

The introduction of Christie immediately followed Mo Salah’s penalty miss – the highpoint of Liverpool’s pressure as they chased a way back into the game.

Whilst the spot-kick going wide certainly deflated the away side, Christie brought calmness and composure to Cherries, also replacing the industry missing from matchwinner Philip Billing who had tired with 20 minutes to go.

His runs up field were measured and calculated, soothing the pace of the game and allowing Cherries to get out of their defensive areas.

With Traore and Marcus Tavernier currently sidelined with injury, Christie certainly proved his usefulness, doing his future chances no harm.

New look for concourses

Bournemouth Echo:

It is no secret that the consortium that owns Cherries, Black Knight Football Entertainment, is keen to increase capacity for the Dorset club’s home games.

Whether that will be via renovation and expansion at Dean Court, or a completely new ground, remains to be seen, but even if there are grand designs of a new home, Cherries have taken it upon themselves to freshen up the Vitality Stadium.

Banners now adorn the outside of a few stands, whilst the Main Stand concourse has received the first lick of new paint, with president of business Jim Frevola promising updated looks for the other stands to follow shortly.

He wrote in Cherries’ programme on Saturday: “You may see that most of our concourses have received a makeover here in recent weeks, with some refreshed branding adding to a lick of paint.

“We’ll be completing this work across all concourses by the end of the season.

“Upgrading the appearance of the stadium exterior also remains an ongoing project as we feel it is appropriate to update the look and feel of our home, no matter what our plans for the future look like.”