Liverpool bounce back as Klopp’s side came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1.
Jurgen Klopp’s side came into this game looking for a turn around in fortunes after losing three of their last four games.
The German named as close to a full-strength as he was able. Adrian kept his place from Wednesday after Alisson was ruled out with a hip injury earlier in the week.
An Impressive display from today’s captain.
Andrew Robertson was rested as a precaution ahead of the table topper’s game with Atletico Madrid midweek – James Milner took the Scotsman’s place at left-back.
First Half
The Reds were given a shock early on as Callum Wilson controversially opened the scoring for the Cherries.
Wilson won the ball back after he appeared to shove Joe Gomez in the back. The ball was played wide to Billing. The midfielder released Jefferson Lerma down the Bournemouth right and his cross found Wilson at the far post.
Wilson taps home to give the Cherries the lead – Should it of stood?
The goal was given despite the Liverpool protests – VAR deemed the contact on Gomez as not sufficient to impede the defender’s actions.
Nathan Ake nearly doubled the visitor’s lead. His header was a strong one but lacked direction as it was collected easily by Adrian.
Eddie Howe was given a blow not long after. Captain Steve Cook was forced off through injury and Jack Simpson replaced the veteran.
It was a torrid introduction for the substitute, however.
Simpson was caught on the ball by Sadio Mane. The Senegalese man drove at the Bournemouth backline and played the ball wide to Mohammed Salah.
The pass was a poor one, but the Egyptian marksman managed to retrieve the ball, jinx inside and squeeze the ball past Aaron Ramsdale to equalise for Liverpool.
Salah was able to score on his 100th game in the Premier League.
It didn’t take long for the league leaders to take the lead.
Virgil Van Dijk broke down the visitor’s attack with a well-timed interception. The Dutch international played the ball through to Mane who took the ball in his stride and finished calmly past the Bournemouth keeper.
HT: Liverpool 2 Bournemouth 1
Second Half
The home side controlled the majority of the ball in the opening stages of the second half. It was Howe’s side that created the first big chance of the half, however.
Ryan Fraser timed his run to beat the Liverpool offside trap and sent a lob over Adrian that looked destined to equalise.
James Milner had other ideas. The Red’s skipper managed to acrobatically clear the ball off the line to keep the champions-elect in front.
This seemed to wake the Merseysiders up. Jurgen Klopp’s men turned the pressure up and nearly doubled their advantage.
Firstly, Van Dijk rose the highest from a corner from the right. His header was a tame one however and Ramsdale collected the ball with ease.
Mane then thought he had the young keeper beaten, only to see his speculative curler rebound off the post.
The Reds were in again down the right not long after. Salah shrugged off Fraser and found a pass to the overlapping Milner. The veteran’s pullback was turned over the bar by what looked like an army of Bournemouth shirts.
Roberto Firmino should have wrapped the game up for the home side. Lallana stepped over Salah’s pass inside, leaving Firmino with the freedom of the box to pick his spot.
The Brazilian blazed over and his search for his first Anfield goal this season goes on.
FT: Liverpool 2 Bournemouth 1
Looking ahead…
Liverpool move one step closer to securing their first league title in 30 years. The Red’s could potentially have the trophy won before they next play in the Premier League.
Manchester City play three times before the leaders play again. If they lose all three then the title will be going to Merseyside.
Klopp will have had one eye on their Champion’s League tie on Wednesday. They welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield as they look to overturn a one-goal deficit.
The charismatic German will be hopeful that his side will take confidence from today’s result into what is arguably the most important game of their season so far.
Picture by Robert Cutts under Creative Commons Licence
