Dominik Szoboszlai scored a brilliant late free-kick for Liverpool (Image: Getty)
Liverpool‘s 13-game unbeaten run came to an end in dramatic circumstances as they lost 3-2 at Bournemouth in the 95th minute. Arne Slot’s side suffered a potentially costly defeat for their top-four hopes as they once again conceded at the death. It looked like the Reds had rescued a point after coming from two goals down with 10 minutes to play. Despite a strong start, the Reds found themselves 2-0 down 33 minutes in after finishes from Evanilson and Alex Jimenez. The reigning Premier League champions got back into it when captain Virgil van Dijk restored hope with a header from a corner before half-time.
And Dominik Szoboszlai’s brilliant free-kick late on seemed set to secure a point for Liverpool in the south coast rain. But woeful defending from a throw-in deep into stoppage time allowed Amine Adli to poke in a last-gasp winner for the Cherries. Liverpool could now drop out of the Champions League spots once the weekend is over. Express Sport rates and slates the Reds…
Liverpool player ratings vs Bournemouth
Alisson Becker – 5
Had nothing to do until he conceded to Evanilson and then soon after conceded again. Left Slot and Sipke Hulshoff angry with his failure to kick the ball out of play so Wataru Endo could be brought on moments before Jimenez scored. Good save from Ryan Christie second half but what is he doing for the Adli goal?
Was one of Liverpool’s most threatening players second half before being substituted, although he wasn’t as effective as other recent games. They missed his one-vs-one threat after he went off until Rio Ngumoha came on.
Some nice linebreaking passes but too slow to sense danger for the Bournemouth goal and sustained a knock in the process which forced him off. His Liverpool career continues to be undermined by injuries.
Completely missed the ball before Alex Scott set up Evanilson in a bad mistake and played Jimenez onside for the second. But a great header pulled Liverpool back into the game. He was far more assertive in the second half, until he was too weak for Adli’s winner. Without the goal, a 4/10 performance.
Faced some boos on his return to the Vitality and was poor for the Jimenez goal, with a slow reaction to the Spaniard’s run. Hooked at half-time.
A bit too safe with some of his passing when Liverpool needed more incisiveness. Didn’t influence the game enough. Booked.
Mohamed Salah had an evening to forget at Bournemouth (Image: Getty)
Where would Liverpool be without him? A brilliant corner for the Van Dijk goal. All of his other deliveries were underwhelming but he played some good passes in open play before again being moved to right-back for the final half-hour. Then scored the equaliser with a brilliant free-kick.
Started well when Liverpool dominated the first 25 minutes but faded after that and was brought off before the hour.
Liverpool’s most dangerous player for most of the game but also gave the ball away way too many times and was guilty of bad decision-making on multiple occasions. Denied a late goal by Djordje Petrovic.
Struggled to make anything happen while leading the line. A surprise Gakpo lasted as long as he did and he had only one more touch than Gomez, who played 39 minutes fewer than the Dutchman.
Salah’s first Premier League start since November 9 and he was really wasteful with his end product. Had seven goals in five league games away at Bournemouth before this but never looked like scoring here. Gets an assist for the Szoboszlai free-kick.
Substitutes
Wataru Endo (Gomez, 36) – 6
Looked short of sharpness at first but grew into it. Almost pulled off a brilliant through ball to Gakpo but very lucky Evanilson fired wide at 2-2 after jumping forward to leave the Brazilian in on goal.
Andy Robertson (Kerkez, 46) – 5
His final Liverpool appearance? The fans will certainly hope not. Brought energy but was hit and miss with his final balls.
Hugo Ekitike (Mac Allister, 59) – 5
Had a nice mazy run on the edge but otherwise failed to impact the game.
Curtis Jones (Frimpong, 59) – 5
A bit like Ekitike, didn’t do enough. Inadvertently tripped Van Dijk in the build-up to Bournemouth’s winner.
Rio Ngumoha (Gakpo, 73) – 7
Injected some dynamism and won the free-kick which Szoboszlai scored from. Could also have won a penalty before that had he been more honest.