Liverpool once again highlighted their defensive frailties in emphatic fashion on Sunday afternoon as they threw away a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 against Bournemouth.
The Reds were in control for the whole of the first half as they cruised into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Divock Origi.
In fact, it could have been more if Origi hadn’t missed a sitter as things looked set for another Reds win.
The second half, though, changed all of that. After goals from Callum Wilson and Emre Can to make it 3-1, the Anfield side completely capitulated – making any title ambitions they have look absolutely laughable.
The Cherries were invited onto the Reds and duly took advantage as they nicked the winner in the dying moments through a clanger from Loris Karius, who spilled at the feet of Nathan Ake.
There’s plenty for Jurgen Klopp to try and sort out if they are to even get near the title, then.
Here are five images to help sum up Bournemouth’s unforgettable 4-3 comeback.
Origi casts doubt
The first big chance of the game fell to the young Belgian after great work from Nathaniel Clyne down the right. It looked the easiest of finishes, too, particularly for a man who had scored in his last two games, but he some how got his feet completely tied up and conspired to slice it wide. He needed to go with his left but instead aimed to sweep home with his right, sparking fears it could be one of those days for the visitors.
Mane fires again
However, minutes later, any such fears that Liverpool were not going to score on Sunday were allayed as Sadio Mane poked under Artur Boruc for the opener. The pacy attacker has been a real hit since he signed from Southampton in the summer and he certainly stepped up to the plate here with Philippe Coutinho out injured. He latched on to a fine lofted pass from Emre Can, shrugged off Nathan Ake and found the back of the net for 1-0.
Origi redeems himself
People have been queuing up to slate Origi as not good enough to play for the Reds but he answered those critics emphatically with an outrageous finish. After racing onto a through pass, he nicked the ball past a fully committed Artur Boruc who was well out of his area before, despite being at a pretty unhelpful angle, curling a fine finish into the open net to redeem himself for his earlier miss.
Wilson halves the deficit
As always with Liverpool, despite their attacking prowess, they have the ability to offer any side a lifeline in any give game of football. The Cherries weren’t really offering much of a threat to the Reds’ lead as the second half ticked by before James Milner clattered into Ryan Fraser in the box for an obvious penalty. Callum Wilson duly dispatched the spot kick and, suddenly, the game was back in the balance on the south coast.
Liverpool fold as Bournemouth take the win
And, despite going down to 3-1, the Cherries would go on to win the game in an incredible turn of events that put serious doubts over Liverpool’s title challenge. Goals from Ryan Fraser, Steve Cook and Nathan Ake sealed and almighty turn around, with Loris Karius to blame for the last goal as spilled at the feet of the Chelsea loanee. Bournemouth didn’t care one bit, though, as the Vitality Stadium went into raptures.
