After a derby win at the weekend, Liverpool hosted Bournemouth with a thinner squad then they might have liked. The Cherries proved to be a bit of a bogey team for the Reds this season, scoring a late equalizer to draw 2-2.
This was a match of mistakes and missed opportunities. Despite few changes to the starting eleven, Liverpool looked unsettled from the start. This was not the side that purred against Everton without having to shift into a higher gear. Too many touches and too much uncertainty plagued many Reds, especially in the early going.
Ultimately, they were made to pay for a shaky spell.
It started with Simon Mignolet making trouble for himself outside his area with the ball at his feet. It was a familiar sight, as the goalkeeper found himself unnecessarily under pressure before twisting a Cruyff turn. It was a sequence that unsettled Anfield and seemed to infect the team.
Even the ultra-cool Gini Wijnaldum was not immune. Within a couple of minutes, he sent a weakly weighted back pass to Mignolet which Benik Afobe was happy to nick for an easy finish. It was uncharacteristic from the player but encapsulated the side’s early lack of decisiveness.
While Liverpool was able to dig themselves out of the whole and draw level before the break, it took them well into the second half before they pulled ahead. Yet they never looked completely settled or confident while in front. Another sequence of scrambling saw them surrender two valuable points as they try to secure a Champions League place.
Here are four findings from the match.
Samba Synchronicity
As good as Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho are individually, they are even better as a double act. The loss of Sadio Mane meant that Firmino shifted wider with more regularity to accommodate Divock Origi more centrally. However, it was right through the middle where he made his greatest impact, feeding Coutinho with a deft through ball.
For his part, Coutinho never quite had complete control of the ball but was able to sort things out to slip it past Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc. It was another example of the near telepathic connection the two players have, as well as the little magician’s return to form. It was a finish that would likely have not come off a couple of weeks ago.
Wijnaldum Vindication
Everyone makes mistakes but Gini Wijnaldum has proven a remarkably consistent force in midfield for the Reds. The errant backless was all the more surprising given his exceptional technique and composure. Yet, as he spun and dwelled ever so slightly on the ball, inviting pressure, there was a hint of panic as he looked for an outlet. Immediately, he shrank to the ground with his face in his hands.
Still, the Dutchman was quick to forget and refocus on redemption. He remained available and involved and would beat multiple players along the left side of the box and send a pinpoint cross for Origi to head home. It was an excellent sequence of play that erased the earlier debt and Wijnaldum looked like he may have engineered the comeback victory.
Divock’s Decad
For all the trouble that Origi has had this season, the young striker has bagged 10 goals. It is almost hard to believe the Belgian has hit double digits. In this match, he seized the opportunity to put himself about and fit in with the front three. His finish against the Cherries was a picture-perfect headed strike, elevated and authoritative.
In truth, he could have had more. More than once he was unable to turn a free ball on the back post into the net. He also spurned a chance wide of the mark. Still, he continually found himself in good positions and scoring should further boost his confidence. Regardless of the result, he can expect more minutes to play himself into even better form.
Cannot Close
Frustration may be the only word to describe this result. It cannot be considered anything other than lost points. The Reds recaptured enough quality to win but fell victim to familiar foils. A mistake at the back, albeit from a midfielder, set-piece scrambling, and an inability to see the match out all converged to unravel the Reds at the end.
Even manager Jurgen Klopp bears some responsibility. The decision to start Ragnar Klaven may have seemed reasonable but it was quickly clear that Bournemouth targeted him as the weakest link. Undoubtedly, it was a factor in sending Joel Matip on to help clean up and close the match. Yet, the timing never seemed right. Worse, once Coutinho came off the pitch Liverpool lacked the zip and threat that had wrested the night back from the visitors.