Liverpool fell to a disappointing 4-3 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth, missing their opportunity to go second in the Premier League table, despite being two goals to the good on two separate occasions.
Jurgen Klopp’s side started the game extremely strongly, and their good work paid off when a long ball over the top sent Sadio Mane in behind, who finished well. Bournemouth keeper Artur Boruc rushed off his line to meet Divock Origi a couple of minutes later, but the Liverpool attacker rounded the goalkeeper and produced a fantastic finish.
Bournemouth’s response after the break was solid, and they had the opportunity to get back into the game when Ryan Fraser was brought down in the box by James Milner. Callum Wilson stepped up to score his second in two games. However, Liverpool restored their two-goal lead with an excellent strike from Emre Can.
With fifteen minutes to go, Bournemouth were back in the game again. Substitute Ryan Fraser was there after Benik Afobe couldn’t get his shot away to fire a great finish into the corner past Karius. The hosts were soon level, and it was Steve Cook who produced a quality goal. He produced a quality first touch before hammering a shot into the back of the net.
Eddie Howe’s side then won the game in added time, when Karius couldn’t hold a low shot, and Nathan Ake was there to pounce and hand Bournemouth the three points.
Liverpool keeper Loris Karius has received a lot of criticism following the defeat, and it is true that he could have prevented certainly Bournemouth’s winner and possibly their second. The goalkeeper was successful with just 65% of his passes, made four saves and didn’t claim the ball once in what was a disappointing performance. Here is how Liverpool fans reacted to his terrible showing.
Too disappointed with Karius performance. I know we should be patience, but he played way under the par recently. No convincing save #BOULIV
— Stephen J. Wuisan (@StephWu8) 4 December 2016
Karius looking clumsy, bring back Mignolet
— サイーフ (@SaiiFKhan) 4 December 2016
Karius has looked suspect all season. First game he’s had something to do and he’s made several errors. Missed Matip too.
— Phil Taylor (@philt1605) 4 December 2016
#LFC was always going to drop one sooner or later but dropping games like this isn’t acceptable. Milner, Lucas and Karius all pathetic.
— John Moersdorf (@JMoersdorf) 4 December 2016
Every team we play will be banging them at Karius! He is worse than Mingolet & that’s hard to do!
— col1404 (@col1404) 4 December 2016
Karius isn’t good enough..no keepers union here I’m afraid he’s just not good enough!
— James Gardner (@Jay_gardner1) 4 December 2016
2nd Goal Karius should be saving 4th goal is Embarrassing - why are you trying to gather that? Volleyball it away! Basics man!!
— Daryl Heard (@daryl_heard) 4 December 2016
Not only does Karius concede stupid goals, his distribution is god awful. How can you concede a corner from a goal kick?
— Oliver West (@OliverWest100) 4 December 2016
Jurgen Klopp’s men missed a brilliant opportunity to go second in the Premier League and stay just one point behind league leaders Chelsea. They should have wrapped up the game at either 2-0 or 3-1, but stupidly let Bournemouth back into the game, and paid the full price here.