By Priya Kaur
Liverpool welcomed AFC Bournemouth to Anfield on Saturday afternoon where they managed to secure a hard earned three points!
After the departure of Gary O’Neil, Bournemouth were adopted by the master of organised chaos Andoni Iraola. Bournemouth made a quick-fire start, being direct with passes and catching Liverpool off-guard. The ball found the back of the net by Anthony, but fortunately for Liverpool was called offside- an early warning for Liverpool.
Bournemouth were piling on the pressure and Liverpool were uncharacteristically gifting them chances. Consequently, Semenyo got on the end of the ball and smashed in the opener.
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Liverpool responded by keeping pressure on Bournemouth and soon after, there was a chance for an equaliser with a powerful inswinging corner from Robertson which reached the head of the Skipper Van Dijk but was denied by the woodwork.
Once again, Bournemouth was away, and the pressure was too much for Alisson as he conceded a yellow.
Goalscorer Semenyo received a yellow, fouling Gakpo as Liverpool were away on the counter. Liverpool started to be awarded set-pieces. Nothing came from the corner except Jota half-heartedly calling for a foul inside the box.
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Liverpool’s tempo started to emerge and confidence started to grow. On the counter, Szobozslai charged down the pitch and delivered the ball to Luis Diaz who netted in a sublime finish to give Liverpool the equaliser. It was brilliant play from the Columbian!
Liverpool started to adapt to the game and were again on the counter, Rothwell lost his cool and fouled Szoboszlai inside the box. The penalty was awarded, and a yellow was issued to Neto who made sure his opinions were heard.
The usually reliable Mohamed Salah shot the penalty, but it was saved by Neto! Nevertheless, Salah smashed in the rebound, overtaking Steven Gerrard as Liverpool’s highest scorer.
Overall, a very sloppy start by Liverpool, but they grew into the game with more chance creation.
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With the second half underway, Liverpool seemed to be more switched on, but the lack of defence in midfield was highlighted by Bournemouth’s high pressing.
Soon after though, Liverpool found their focus and rhythm and created many chances with Mo Salah away, but the Egyptian wasn’t clinical enough to finish it off. Scotsman Andy Robertson was building intensity denying Bournemouth completed passes and runs in midfield.
Straight RED card for Liverpool’s Number 10 Macallister as studs were slightly raised! The three-game ban was all the new-signing Wataru Endo needed to make his Liverpool debut. Replacing Cody Gapo, the eager Endo was raring to go, and the angered Anfield crowd was roaring.
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With adrenaline pumping, Liverpool were bombing down the pitch and Szoboszlai delivered it to the pouncing Jota. The ball was fumbled by Neto and the net bulged making it 3-1.
With Trent looking slightly uncomfortable on the ankle, he made way for Joe Gomez and the young Harvey Elliott came on for goalscorer Jota. As for Bournemouth, Rothwell and Semenyo came on for Kelly and Brooks.
The Diaz and Salah combo was electric as they were darting about, popping up in every direction, but Klopp decided it was time for fresh legs as the goalscorers Lucho and Salah made way for Nunez and Tsimiskas.
The full-time whistle blew and it ended 3-1. Overall, apart from the poor start, there were a lot of positives. The flow looked better in the second half with glimpses of an improved side since the clash against Chelsea. However, Mac Allister will miss three games due to harsh straight red – pending an appeal that Klopp hinted would be being lodged – Trent hobbled off with an ankle injury Diaz got subbed due to a slight knee knock.
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