“Players were tired,” says manager after Bournemouth’s 95th-minute winner stuns Reds in 3-2 defeat.
Liverpool’s troubled Premier League title defense hit another staggering low on Saturday, as Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier struck deep into added time to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory. The Reds, who had heroically fought back from a two-goal deficit, were left stunned by the late sucker-punch on the south coast.
Manager Arne Slot pointed squarely at a fatigued squad for the collapse. His team has now lost seven league games this season, a stark contrast to their imperious form last year. “For the last five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 games, we mainly have to play with the same players,” Slot explained in a frustrated post-match interview. “They could be, in the end of the game, a bit tired. I think that’s what you could see today.”
The match swung wildly. Bournemouth raced into a commanding 2-0 lead before Liverpool mounted a signature comeback, with Dominik Szoboszlai firing in a powerful 80th-minute equalizer to make it 2-2. The game then opened up into a frantic, end-to-end battle, with both sides chasing a winner.
It was Bournemouth who found it. In the 95th minute, a long throw-in caused chaos in the Liverpool box, and Tavernier pounced to send the home fans into delirium. Slot also took issue with the officiating, arguing that only four minutes of added time was insufficient given the second-half stoppages. “This game should not have had four minutes of extra time,” he said.
For Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, it was a landmark win. “It is a massive win for us because we were in a difficult situation,” he told the BBC, beaming with pride. “We are finding ways to get points against difficult opposition. I am very proud of the team.”
The result leaves Liverpool’s season in a precarious state, while Bournemouth’s resilient performance offers hope in their fight for Premier League survival.
Similar Posts:
- Premier League Defends Controversial Penalty Decision in Liverpool-Bournemouth Clash (Video)
- Slot Praises Liverpool’s Composure as Reds Extend Premier League Lead to 13 Points
- Pep Guardiola Admits Manchester City Struggled to Match Bournemouth’s Intensity in 2-1 Loss (Video)
- Xabi Alonso’s Anfield Return: Bayer Leverkusen Set to Challenge Liverpool in Champions League Showdown
- Liverpool Close In on £40m Summer Target Milos Kerkez
