Yet another team from the bottom half of the table. Yet another game where Liverpool drop points. It is no longer funny anymore. Liverpool might regret this at the end of the season as Liverpool failed to take advantage of a couple of other results.
This is how the Reds fared today.
Simon Mignolet (5) – Small actions can have big outcomes. Liverpool started brightly, but Mignolet’s dithering on the ball halted the momentum and spread nervousness all around. His releases were very slow when Liverpool was looking to equalise. Very little to do in the second half.
Nathaniel Clyne (7) – With Firmino playing an inside-forward role, Clyne had more freedom and width to attack from the right and he made it count. Played good overlaps with Firmino, but made a couple of poor passes when Liverpool was in a good position in attack. Unlucky not to score a wonder goal at the start of the second half as he left the crossbar shaking. Delivered a peach of a cross which Origi should have converted. Solid performance after a string of average performances.
Dejan Lovren (6) – Had the task of marking Afobe, which he did satisfactorily as Afobe soon switched to Klavan’s side. Could have reacted better on the early set-piece opportunity as Lucas headed the ball into the danger area. Had an acrobatic attempt on goal in the second half, which would have counted for nothing as he was in an offside position. Slotted comfortably into a back three once Matip came on.
Ragnar Klavan (4) – Liverpool just seem to not catch a break with respect to centre-back partnerships as Klavan came in for Matip, who had an injury. Was caught on the ball couple of times by Bournemouth. Was easily outrun by King as Liverpool were exposed with their high line. Mixed bag in the second half with a couple of good interceptions interspersed with mistakes. Was turned far too easily by King to score their equaliser.
James Milner (5.5) – Had a lot of the ball down the left, but came to nought. Was alert defensively to intercept Afobe midway through the first half, saving Liverpool the blushes. Second half was quite the same, but his dominance on the ball petered out once Liverpool shifted to a back three. Had a couple of good deliveries from corners.
Lucas Leiva (6.5) – Second consecutive start for Lucas, and he started brightly creating a chance off a set-piece. As Liverpool stepped up to close Bournemouth, Lucas was ever-present to sweep up any loose ball. Was cautioned for a clumsy foul. Stuck to his job in the second half as Liverpool dominated possession for large parts of the second half.
Emre Can (7.5) – Emre Can had a good game as he pinged in some dangerous balls into the box from his advanced midfield position. Whenever Liverpool lost the ball, he was one of the first people to close down Bournemouth players. His aggression got the better of him on a couple of occasions but overall had a solid game, especially with his attacking contribution from midfield.
Giorginio Wijnaldum (6.5) – What was Wijnaldum thinking when he made that back-pass? The first big blemish in his Liverpool career. He worked hard otherwise and had a long shot on goal saved well by Boruc. Made amends for his first-half mistake with some great close control and delivered the ball on a platter to Origi. Shielded the ball effectively, displaying his well-documented upper-body strength.
Roberto Firmino (7) – Firmino took up the inside-right channel position, and often drifted centrally to support Origi. Was first on any knock-ons from aerial duels, and his excellent pass from one such duel enabled Coutinho to score the equaliser. His influence gradually petered out in the second half.
Divock Origi (8) – One of his best games in a Red shirt. Showed excellent glimpses of centre-forward play in holding up the ball. Repeatedly turned his marker with his first touch. Could have done better off the chance from a corner in the first half. Was presented a chance on a plate from Wijnaldum and he duly scored literally one yard from goal. Finished the game as strongly as he started it.
Phil Coutinho (7.5) – Coutinho was expected to take over the mantle of the most important player in the absence of Mane, and he scored a great goal displaying his calmness in decision making, realising that he had more time to score than he thought initially. Had a couple of other attempts on goal. Subbed out early in the second half, as he looked to be carrying a knock.
Substitutes
Joel Matip (6) – Came in for Coutinho as Liverpool moved to a back three to counter the two strikers of Bournemouth. His biggest contribution came in the attacking third though as he was left unmarked on a corner but could not convert.
