Liverpool’s inconsistencies have never been made more apparent

Bournemouth, England — If There Were Ones Premier League Trophy for self-sabotage, this will definitely be liverpoolThere is a name on it. Time and again this season, Arne Slott’s side have been responsible for their own collapse in the top flight, and that was true again on Saturday as they suffered a late defeat. lost 3-2 to do away AFC Bournemouth.

All the positive momentum that comes from boosting morale. uefa champions league win 3-0 Above marseille Mid-week south-coast washed out by rain Amin AdliThe 95th-minute winner secured all three points for the hosts at the Vitality Stadium.

virgil van dijk Liverpool led the protests, as those dressed in red and black walked away celebrating, but there was no delay from VAR and, not for the first time this term, the men in the slot had only themselves to blame.

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When? Dominic Szoboszlai After scoring a brilliant free kick in the 80th minute to equalize Liverpool, it seemed as if the pendulum – for the first time in the game – was about to swing in the visitors’ favour. But, with neither team satisfied with a point, chances came and went at both ends of the pitch, before Edley fired the ball past the goalkeeper. Alison Baker With one of the last kicks of the match.

morocco The international’s goal brought Liverpool’s 13-match unbeaten run to a disappointing end and once again increased the pressure on the head coach slot. With only four points from the last 15 available, the Reds have conceded further defeat in the race for Champions League qualification. If all their rivals win their respective matches on Sunday afternoon, they can move up to eighth place in the table.

The slot team are still looking for their first league win in 2026 and have finished just two points from losing a place this season. In contrast, they came from behind to collect 23 points by the end of the last campaign, losing the position to 29 points in 2023–24.

In many ways, Liverpool’s season-long struggles were summed up by a difficult seven-minute spell in the first half in which they conceded two goals and lost a defender. joe gomez to get hurt. Bournemouth’s opener came against the pace of the game after Van Dijk made a poor clearance alex scottthe one who teased Ivanilson To finish at close range.

Slote later defended his captain by offering the strong winds inside the stadium as mitigation for his mistake, although this is not the first time this season that an individual mistake has cost Liverpool dearly. The crowd’s frustration was further compounded when Alisson and Gomez collided while attempting to clear the ball, resulting in Gomez leaving the field with a concussion.

Inexplicably, Liverpool failed to take the ball out of play to allow a substitution – despite vigorous protests from the slot on the touchline – and so on until the makeshift center back Wataru Endo Entered the pitch in the 33rd minute, trailing 2-0 thanks to a smart strike alex jimenez.

“There were only seven minutes where I wouldn’t even say we were struggling, but where the other team was also part of the game and in those seven minutes we conceded two goals,” Slot said in the post-match press conference.

“Of course, the second one was when we were down 10 because of the first goal.

“Joe Gomez had to go out with an injury. He wanted to try. He thought he could do it but then he couldn’t. And maybe that’s the essence of our season. It’s something else every time. Every time there’s something special that we accept. But we accept and we only have ourselves to blame.”

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of Saturday’s defeat for Slott will be the fact that his team overcame a first-half storm to equalise, with Van Dijk reducing the deficit with a fine header from a corner on the stroke of halftime.

Slote has repeatedly lamented his team’s lack of efficacy from set pieces this season, Van Dijk’s goal was only the second goal scored by Liverpool from a corner in 118 attempts in the Premier League. Szoboszlai’s second-half strike was the result of another dead-ball situation, although the Reds’ set-piece balance was further damaged when Edley’s winner was netted via a long throw.

Only Bournemouth (17) have conceded more goals from set pieces than Liverpool (14) this season. Edley’s strike was also the fifth goal the Reds had conceded after the 90th minute in the top flight this season, all of which came in one-goal defeats or draws.

“Missing a goal is always disappointing, but especially when there is no time left to get back into the game,” Slott said.

“But I think it’s safe to say [Bournemouth] The score could have been 3-2 even a little earlier. What I mean by this is, I think even after the score of 2-2, we were trying, but it is safe to say that some of our players were out of energy and I cannot criticize them for that because two days before we had to play a match in Europe.

“We are the only team playing the Champions League that had two days off in between, followed by an away game, another away game against one of the strongest teams in the league. And I mainly, as you probably see, play the same players because of the players we have available.”

Slots has every right to highlight the lack of options currently available. Gomez’s injury means Liverpool have only two fit senior centre-backs, one of whom — Ibrahima Konate –Currently on compassionate leave after the death of his father.

striker hugo akitike Named on the bench against Bournemouth to manage his minutes, Slott was keen to ensure he did not overwork his only senior center forward. alexander isaac His recovery from the broken leg continues. Both jeremy frimpong And Milos Kerkez He also had to be replaced on Saturday to maintain his fitness.

With very few options to choose from and games fast approaching, it feels like Liverpool are taking a huge risk if they decide to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes on February 2.

He andy robertson Kerkez’s return required him to play 45 minutes at left back, also indicating that letting him go would be a gamble. Departure To Tottenham Hotspur This month.

In many ways, Liverpool remains a fragile animal. The physical and mental resilience that played a part in their title win last season has let them down this time around and there has been little to suggest that the situation is about to change, with promising displays often interspersed with difficult, error-filled performances.

At the final whistle on Saturday, Slott and his players presented disappointing figures as they walked off the field soaked to the bone. Of course, when it rains for Liverpool this season, it pours.