Bournemouth have never been good hosts, and they proved it once again last night. The visitors’ graveyard, the Vitality Stadium, had Liverpool for good meat, and though the Reds had a series of four consecutive draws in the EPL, a win had eluded them. With Mo Salah back in the squad after a fine AFCON, the defending champions were looking good, but the Cherries were difficult to bite.
With Ibrahima Konate away from the squad due to the death of his father, Virgil van Dijk had a great responsibility at the back. The defence had been a concern for Liverpool this season, and it reared its ugly head again.
Van Dijk played loose, which led to the first goal from Evanilson in the 26th minute and then again some poor defending from the Liverpool’s back four led to the second goal from Jimenez in the 33rd minute. Bournemouth were two goals ahead.
The defence from Liverpool was pathetic, but the finishing from Bournemouth was good, and they undoubtedly deserved the goals.
Virgil van Dijk got one back at the stroke of half-time from a corner. Van Dijk hardly celebrated, still reeling under the two goals which Liverpool had allowed to slip.
In the second half, Liverpool maintained the pressure, and in the 80th minute, Frimpong earned the Reds a free kick just outside the box. Szoboszlai, who in all measures has been the player of the season for Liverpool and slowly turning into a free-kick specialist, took the kick, after a Salah tap-in, and scored once again. It was simply brilliant from the Hungarian. The ball curled and beat Petrovic’s left hand. Liverpool had equalised.
Alisson Becker saved a ripper, but Bournemouth continued to press for a winner. The extremely vulnerable Liverpool defence once again crumbled right at the death. Amine Adli scored for Bournemouth in the 95th minute. The Liverpool defence could not clear the ball in a goalmouth scramble and paid the price. The Vitality Stadium fell into raptures as the Cherries took 3 vital points.
Arne Slot’s expression said it all. It was heartbreaking for Liverpool, having allowed a goal yet again at the death.
The Vitality Stadium, no wonder, lived up to its reputation.
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