Liverpool missed the chance to leapfrog Tottenham Hotspur and move into the Premier League top four as a goal from Philip Billing lifted Bournemouth off the bottom of the table with a 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium.
The Reds made a bright start and created a flurry of chances, but they struggled to cope with the energy of Bournemouth’s front three and Jurgen Klopp’s men fell behind when Billing headed home Dengo Ouattara’s low cross near the half-hour mark. thrown out of the house.
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The visitors, clearly stunned, struggled for a meaningful response. When he did, he lacked the necessary composure in front of goal as Mohamed Salah slotted wide of Virgil van Dijk before making a hash of things from the spot after Adam Smith was given a harsh penalty for handball.
Bournemouth found themselves more deeply seated as the minutes ticked down, but the hosts pulled off an unlikely yet deserved victory to climb out of the bottom three.
Positive
Liverpool were early off the blocks and would have been in front if not for a superb goal-line clearance by Jefferson Lerma. If nothing else, the Reds showed good character in their positive response after the break.
junk food
The visitors always looked susceptible to counter-attacking, and had no answer for the electric Ouattara, who ran rampant when his cross was converted by Billings.
manager rating out of 10
Jurgen Klopp, 6 — It is difficult to blame Klopp for this. Many of his key men were lacking at their best, and the German’s decision to move Gakpo into midfield greatly improved his side’s performance.
Player rating (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes receive no rating)
GK Ellison, 6 — A huge scare was saved when the goal was scored by Ouattara, who could only blast into the side-netting, however the goalkeeper was left exposed and did enough to fire the Bournemouth striker wide. Nicely beaten by Billing’s cool finish.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 3 — He lacked his usual sharpness in possession and was poor defensively. He created Bournemouth’s best chance of the game when his attempted crossfield pass went wide wrong, and he mistimed a shot at goal to the delight of the home fans.
DF Ibrahima Konate, 5 — The defender had a mixed afternoon, looking shaky in spells and struggling to stop Ouattara, who he played offside for the goal. But he eased the pressure when Alexander-Arnold made a save and advanced before being fouled by Lerma.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 4 — Sluggish. He came very close to a second goal in three games when his downward header was off the line, but he allowed Otara to loft him over to set up the opener. Later saw another big opportunity.
DF Andy Robertson, 6 — A problem arose when his left forward was picked out by a beautiful, dissecting pass from Alexander-Arnold, but Núñez could not convert his cross. Forced a fine, effortless stop from Neto with a powerful strike across goal.
MF Stephen Bajetic, 4 — A quiet performance in the middle, and he failed to press the quality of the billing, which was a real nuisance as the hosts continued to grow in confidence.
MF Harvey Elliott, 4 — Several times prevailed in midfield by Philip Billing, who easily cleared Elliot with the ball before progressing and winning a free kick from Konate. Withdrawn unexpectedly on the break.
MF Fabinho, 3 — There was a slight sense of desperation about Liverpool after falling behind and this was summed up when the Brazilian made a superb effort to score well, as he fired straight after the break.
Family Welfare Mohamed Salah, 3 — Neto easily saw off his early effort and found difficult chances to go beyond it, which made his mistake from the penalty spot even more costly as Liverpool desperately needed an equaliser.
FW Darwin Nuñez, 5 — He almost got his team off to a perfect start when he pulled the ball back for Salah, but the Egyptian could not find the contact he was looking for. The latter again saw its low-powered effort organized by Nato.
Family Welfare Kodi Gakpo, 6 — He continued his fine form in front of goal on 13 minutes but was fouled by an offside flag. Dropped into midfield after the break, which allowed him the space he needed to make a greater impact, but he wasted a last gasp chance to level.
substitute player
Family Welfare Diogo Jota, 6 — Elliott was substituted on at the break and made an almost immediate impact, but his curling effort was well saved by Neto. His side found a way back when his header was adjudged to have been handled by Smith, but Salah could not capitalise.
MF James Milner, 6 — Substitute Alexander-Arnold in the 65th minute, but had little opportunity to make any impact of note.
MF Jordan Henderson, 6 — Replaced Fabinho in the 65th minute, but even the captain could not convert Liverpool’s performance through the gears.
FW Roberto Firmino, 6 — Núñez was substituted in the 66th minute but the forward never really saw a goal.
MF Fabio Carvalho, N/R — Late cameo for the creative youngster who replaced Bajetić in the 88th minute.
