A game of two halves, and a possible contender for game of the season. Bournemouth vs Liverpool which finished 4-3, was a prime example that the game is not over till the final whistle, and was a testament as to how exciting the Premier League is.
Liverpool were two goals up at the end of the first half thanks to Sadio Mane and Divock Origi, but Bournemouth pulled one back early in the second half due to a James Milner foul which led to a penalty. Emre Can restored the two-goal cushion before the hosts drew level with two successive goals that left the Reds stunned. They, in fact, never recovered as Nathan Ake scored the winner in injury time.
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Ryan Fraser changed the game from the minute he was brought on, with the midfielder earning the penalty that led to his team’s first goal and scoring their second after a while. Liverpool were perhaps complacent in their play, as they looked casual after Can’s goal and that cost them big time. Here are the five talking points about this enthralling game-
#1 Divock Origi is in the form of his life
Perhaps Liverpool’s only silver lining in the game apart from Mane’s impressive start to the season, Origi scored his third goal in three appearances as the young striker beat goalkeeper Arthur Boruc with one of the finest finishes you are likely to see this season.
Origi started the season as a third choice striker, but his current run of form is highly impressive as he was the Reds’ best forward tonight in a game where Roberto Firmino had a rare off day. Klopp has preferred starting Firmino in a false 9 position for most of the season, but Origi’s brilliant form will definitely make him think more about his options and whether the Belgian deserves to start more games.
#2 Liverpool’s defence cost them the game
The importance of summer signing Joel Matip was highlighted today as the centre back pairing of Lucas Leiva and Dejan Lovren had a horrendous display at the back for the Reds.
Shades of the Southampton game last season when Liverpool lost 3-2 after going two goals up, Milner conceded a penalty while Lovren had a game to forget. Fellow defender, Lucas was also bang average as the Bournemouth players were given too much space and were played onside too many times, which led to the oppositions second and third goal before Liverpool’s set-piece frailties were exposed again as Ake scored the winner in stoppage time.
Having kept only three clean sheets this league season, Klopp needs to look into his defence as a potential title run could end before the last games of the season if this keeps up. A question that also needs to be asked is why he started Lucas when summer signing Ragnar Klavan, who is a proper centre-back, was on the bench.
#3 Bournemouth are no pushovers
Having given a good display against Arsenal last week despite eventually losing the game, today’s performance makes it crystal clear that Eddie Howe’s side is not one to be taken lightly.
This win takes the Cherries to the top 10 of the table as they go above the likes of Watford and Southampton. Having gone two goals down after 22 minutes, you would think that the Reds already had the game in the bag, but the hosts’ continued efforts combined with Liverpool’s defensive problems ensured an enthralling victory and a crucial 3 points in a game where they were touted by everyone as second favourites.
The road looks up for them, as Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser looked absolutely stunning in the second half, although the team will hope that the injury to Junior Stanislas is not too severe.
#4 Phillipe Coutinho was missed
The unfortunate injury to Liverpool’s most creative player and his subsequent absence tonight definitely had an impact on the Reds’ performance.
Liverpool sorely missed their main man in the second half as they desperately needed a moment of magic and inspiration which Coutinho has so often provided for them. Liverpool’s first two goals were pieces of brilliant individual skills but both goalscorers and the midfielders behind looked clueless as to what to do when Bournemouth drew level.
That is when the team missed the presence of the little magician, as there seemed to be a lack of willingness and creativity in after that moment which led to the eventual loss. This only proves how integral Coutinho is to the attack, and his estimated five weeks absence might only harm the team more. Liverpool can only hope that he makes a speedy recovery.
#5 Title challengers not yet
Liverpool were fifteen games unbeaten when they went into this game, yet the Reds have not looked nearly as decisive after the most recent international break as they did before it, dropping two points against Southampton and leaving the Sunderland game very late.
Having failed to score in the first half in their last three games before this one, the Reds looked confident heading into the break but were a shadow of themselves in the second half. The attack looked toothless as Roberto Firmino had a horrendous display, and Mane looked highly casual- Adam Lallana could not do much on his return from injury either. Combine that with their defensive problems and the absence of Coutinho for a while, and Liverpool look shaky.
Still third on the table, the Reds are not far behind league leaders Chelsea but unlike them and Arsenal, Liverpool have been shaky off late and heading into one of the most demanding months of the season, the signs do not look good. A lot of improvement is needed for Liverpool to really threaten the teams above them consistently, as Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are snapping at their heels.
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