Bournemouth snatched victory with the last kick of the game to pile on more misery for Arne Slot as Liverpool’s valiant recovery efforts went in vain in the Premier League.
The Reds started the contest in complete control but went behind against the run of play, with Virgil van Dijk failing to deal with a long-ball into Alex Scott. The Englishman kept the ball in play at the byline, seemingly to the Liverpool captain’s surprise, before squaring to Evanilson to lash home.
In trying to prevent the goal, Joe Gomez took a heavy knock in the crotch from Alisson, forcing him off the field. However, Liverpool failed to make the substitution promptly and conceded again with 10 men, with Alex Jimenez firing through Alisson’s legs after Van Dijk had kept him onside.
Van Dijk, culpable for both of Liverpool’s goals, went some way to making amends on the brink of half-time, fortuitously flicking home to halve the deficit, before Dominik Szoboszlai scored another free-kick with 10 minutes to play to complete the comeback.
But just as Liverpool thought they’d salvaged a point, a last-minute long throw from James Hill caused chaos in the Reds box before Amine Adli fired home from the tight angle to nick all three points.
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Report: Arne Slot faced with recurring problem as Liverpool stunned by last-gasp Bournemouth winner
Amine Adli scrambled home a winner in the fifth minute of added time as Liverpool’s dismal title defence suffered another setback with a dramatic 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth.
But, with virtually the last kick of an enthralling contest in wet and windy conditions, Cherries winger Adli sparked wild scenes at the Vitality Stadium.
Virgil van Dijk fumes at refereeing over last-gasp Bournemouth winner
“What I felt on that pitch is that I was blocked but the referee and VAR didn’t give it,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
“I can stand here and say it shouldn’t have been given bit it was, so it is what it is.”
Iraola hails importance of three points
“It is a massive win for us because we were in a difficult situation, especially last week in terms of numbers and in defensive players,” Iraola told BBC Sport.
“We are finding ways to get points against difficult opposition. I am very proud of the team and what we are doing. We are adapting and we are getting good points.
“I think it is a win that we needed. We are now on 30 points, we need the points and we need them as soon as possible. We are still in relegation situation so we still have to fight and go for points.”
Arne Slot explains heated interaction with officials at full-time
“For me, four minutes of added time was not enough but in the end that didn’t matter because they scored,” he said.
“Although then we could’ve maybe had two or three minutes but this game shouldn’t have had four minutes of extra time. There was already a free-kick that took two or three minutes, there was VAR moments, there was substitutions. That’s what I said to them, that four minutes wasn’t enough.
“We were down to 10 men and then they scored their second and that was the only few minutes bar from the last 10 minutes that we had some problems. But the result was another loss.”
Match-winner Adli reflects on his moment
“I think, like I said before, we play football for moments like this,” Adli told BBC Sport.
“The people are coming for this and to see all the happiness in everybody, the members of staff, all the people who are working for the club and the fans, it’s for moments like this we play football.
“It’s a crazy moment. Obviously it’s the first time it’s happened to me. The emotions are amazing, but overall it shows the character of the team.
“I think we played a very good game against a very tough opponent and this goal is showing all the work rate of the whole team and hopefully I score this one, for sure I’m even more happy. I’m just happy for the team.”
Liverpool’s failure to hold on at the death
Against Bournemouth, Liverpool conceded a 90th-minute winning goal for the third time in the Premier League this season – their most ever in a single campaign in the competition.
A recurring theme of this season and Arne Slot’s woes.
Van Dijk says Liverpool conceding with 10 men was ‘not on Alisson’
“We were with 10 men, you can argue that we have to kick the ball out,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
“It’s not on Alisson. It’s easy to say he should have done this. It is a split second.
“We decided to keep the ball as we had possession and unfortunately for us we conceded. Losing never feels good, especially as a Liverpool player.”
Arne Slot faced with recurring problem as Liverpool stunned by last-gasp Bournemouth winner
Amine Adli scrambled home a winner in the fifth minute of added time as Liverpool’s dismal title defence suffered another setback with a dramatic 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth.
But, with virtually the last kick of an enthralling contest in wet and windy conditions, Cherries winger Adli sparked wild scenes at the Vitality Stadium.
Senesi: ‘Unbelievable because we needed a win’
“To be honest, unbelievable,” Senesi said. “I think we did a very good first half going to 2-0 then they scored, they draw the game. A late winner is perfect for us.
“Unbelievable because we need a win. Everyone below us is getting points, so it is massive for us to win today against a really good side like Liverpool. They are doing amazing and it was a good game and at the end we got the result.
“The team is staying together, doing the work even we have a few injuries and important players for us. Everyone is stepping up and we got an important result today.”
Van Dijk feels he was fouled for Bournemouth winner
“What I felt on that pitch was that I was clearly blocked,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports. “The referee and the VAR don’t give it.
“We will have to accept it. I can stand here and say it should not be given but it was. It is what it is.”
Jamie Redknapp responded by arguing that while he was blocked, he was blocked by his team-mate.
“Van Dijk thinks he was fouled and he was blocked… but by his own team-mate,” he said.
“It was Curtis Jones who tripped him.”
