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Liverpool’s 13-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to a painful end on Saturday afternoon as AFC Bournemouth snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory at the Vitality Stadium. In a game played under relentless rain and swirling wind, the Reds showed resilience to fight back from two goals down, only to see all their hard work undone by a stoppage-time winner from Amine Adli.
It was the kind of defeat that lingers. One moment Liverpool looked set to leave the south coast with a valuable point after Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning late equaliser. The next, they were left stunned as Bournemouth celebrated with the final kick of the game.
Team News and Setup
Arne Slot made just one change from the midweek Champions League win over Marseille, with Cody Gakpo replacing Hugo Ekitike in attack. Mohamed Salah continued after his recent return, while Florian Wirtz and Szoboszlai supported from midfield.
Liverpool XI:
Alisson; Gomez (Endo 35), Van Dijk, Kerkez (Robertson 46); Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister (Ekitike 59); Salah, Gakpo (Ngumoha 73), Frimpong (Jones 59), Gravenberch.
The conditions were tough from the opening whistle, and the pitch quickly became slick. That played a part in the chaos that followed.
Bright Liverpool Start in Difficult Conditions
Liverpool began on the front foot despite the weather. Salah curled an early effort over the bar after neat build-up involving Florian Wirtz, and the Reds continued to probe down the right. A clever through ball from Szoboszlai sent Salah clear again, but his cut-back was intercepted with Gakpo waiting.
Moments later, Wirtz delivered an inviting cross that nearly found Szoboszlai in the box, only for a last-ditch Bournemouth clearance to deny the midfielder a clean strike. At that point, Liverpool looked comfortable and in control. But football rarely follows a script, especially in conditions like these.
Bournemouth Strike Twice as Liverpool Lose Control
Against the run of play, Bournemouth took the lead midway through the first half. Alex Scott’s low pull-back found Evanilson in space, and the striker made no mistake from close range.
To make matters worse, Joe Gomez was injured in the same passage of play after colliding with Alisson while attempting to stop the goal. Wataru Endo was prepared to come on, but play continued as the ball stayed live. Before Liverpool could reset, Bournemouth struck again.
James Hill threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Liverpool back line, and Alex Jimenez timed his run well to get beyond Milos Kerkez. The finish was calm and precise, sending the home crowd into full voice and leaving Liverpool suddenly staring at a 2-0 deficit. It was a brutal spell that summed up the fine margins of Premier League football.
Van Dijk Gives Liverpool Hope Before the Break
To their credit, Liverpool did not panic. The response was measured, and pressure built as the half drew to a close. That pressure paid off at the perfect time.
In the final minute before half-time, Szoboszlai swung in a dangerous corner, and Virgil van Dijk attacked the near post with intent. The captain glanced a deft header beyond the Bournemouth goalkeeper, halving the deficit and changing the mood entirely. The goal felt important. Not just on the scoreboard, but psychologically. Liverpool went into the break believing again.
Second Half Pressure but Few Clear Chances
Andy Robertson replaced Kerkez at left-back for the second half, and Liverpool pushed higher up the pitch. Possession was controlled, territory was dominated, but clear chances were still hard to come by.
Bournemouth defended deep and compact, happy to absorb pressure and look for moments on the counter. With the game finely balanced, Slot looked to his bench just before the hour mark.
Hugo Ekitike and Curtis Jones were introduced, adding energy and movement in the final third. The tempo increased, and Bournemouth were forced deeper with every passing minute. Ryan Gravenberch went close with a left-footed strike from the edge of the area, but the equaliser still would not come.
Szoboszlai Produces a Moment of Quality
When Liverpool needed composure and precision, Dominik Szoboszlai delivered. From a dead-ball situation, Salah showed his awareness with a clever back-heel to turn the free-kick into a live play. Szoboszlai took one touch and drilled a low, unstoppable shot into the bottom corner.
It was a goal of real quality, one that reflected Liverpool’s persistence and belief. At 2-2 with ten minutes to play, it felt like momentum had fully swung in the Reds’ favour. The question now was whether Liverpool could push on and find a winner.
Late Drama Turns the Game on Its Head
As stoppage time approached, Liverpool continued to press, but Bournemouth refused to buckle. Then came the moment that decided the match.
A long throw into the Liverpool penalty area caused chaos. The ball bounced, bodies collided, and amid the scramble, Amine Adli reacted quickest. His close-range finish beat Alisson and sent the Vitality Stadium into raptures. There was no time for Liverpool to respond. The final whistle followed moments later, confirming a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat.
What the Result Means for Liverpool
This was a loss that stings because of how close Liverpool came to salvaging something from a difficult afternoon. Fighting back from two goals down showed character, and Szoboszlai’s influence continues to grow under Slot.
However, defensive lapses and moments of disorder proved costly. Injuries, especially to Gomez, added another layer of concern on a day where little seemed to go smoothly. The unbeaten run may be over, but the bigger picture remains intact. Performances like this, even in defeat, still offer positives to build on.
Final Thoughts
Football can be cruel, and this was a perfect example. Liverpool did enough to earn at least a point, but Bournemouth took their moments and never stopped believing. For the Reds, the challenge now is to respond. The Premier League does not allow time for reflection, and the next test will arrive quickly.
If anything, this defeat may serve as a reminder. No matter the form, no matter the run, every game demands total focus until the very last second. On this wet afternoon on the south coast, Liverpool learned that lesson the hard way.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com