Liverpool fell to a 1-0 defeat against relegation-battling Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium as a first-half goal from Phillip Billing was enough to secure all three points.
Jurgen Klopp’s side started brightly but were caught cold on the counter-attack by January signing Dango Ouattara, who got the better of Virgil Van Dijk before firing a cross for Phillip Billing to tap-in for the opening goal. Liverpool struggled in the first-half but brought on Diogo Jota at half-time before bringing on James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino just after the hour mark as Klopp’s side pushed for an equaliser.
They had the perfect chance to draw level as Adam Smith appeared to handle the ball from Andy Robertson’s header, which was then given as a penalty after VAR intervened. Mohamed Salah fired his spot-kick high and wide and missed out on the chance to become Liverpool’s highest ever away goal scorer in Premier League history.
Klopp’s side continued to toil but struggled to create anything against a resolute Bournemouth backline as they missed the chance to draw level on points with Tottenham in fourth place.
Here’s how we rated the Liverpool players.
1. Alisson Becker - 5/10
Couldn’t do anything about the opening goal and wasn’t required for most of Bournemouth’s attacks as they struggled to muster any more than a couple of shots on target.
2. Trent Alexander-Arnold - 5/10
Struggling to have an impact going forward, he also struggled to cope with the pace and quick feet of Jaidon Anthony.
3. Virgil Van Dijk - 4/10
A day to forget for the centre-back. Having been caught out by Ouattara for the opening goal, he also missed a guilt-edge chance in the first half to level up the game. Bournemouth broke often and certainly put plenty of pressure on the Dutch defender.
4. Ibrahim Konate - 5/10
He too struggled with the likes of Ouattara and Dominic Solanko as he was guilty of giving fouls and was even carded in the second-foul for an ill-timed intervention.