Liverpool ended its poor run of type on Saturday with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield to inch nearer to the Premier League crown. The Reds had misplaced three of their final 4 in all competitions and have been coming off back-to-back losses, together with the 2-Zero defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday within the FA Cup. They’re solely three wins away from inevitably securing the Premier League title.
The poor performances seemed set to proceed in opposition to a Bournemouth aspect that is preventing relegation. Bournemouth scored the opening purpose simply 9 minutes in, however two targets in an eight-minute span within the first half have been sufficient for the Reds to take all three factors. Liverpool had 75 % possession and out-shot Bournemouth 14-6 however didn’t put the Cherries away, conserving the end in doubt till the ultimate whistle.
After a finely constructed purpose noticed Callum Wilson put Eddie Howe’s group into the lead, it was Mohamed Salah that drew the Reds degree with this end 25 minutes in.
Then eight minutes later, Sadio Mane bought free on purpose and completed with a cool strike into the proper aspect of the purpose for what would find yourself being the winner.
With that victory, the Reds might win the title at Manchester City on April 5 with a win so long as they defeat Everton and Crystal Palace earlier than then. Easier stated than performed, and it appears extra possible that they clinch the title at dwelling in opposition to Aston VIlla on April 12 or at Brighton on April 20. Since the primary division was renamed the Premier League in 1992, Liverpool hasn’t gained the league, coming shut on a pair events together with ending second final season.
For now, the group should shift its focus towards the second leg of the Champions League spherical of 16 at dwelling in opposition to Atletico Madrid. The reigning Champions League champs suffered a 1-Zero defeat on the Wanda Metropolitano within the opening leg. You can stream the mid-week match by way of fuboTV (Try without cost).
Liverpool returned to profitable methods following back-to-back defeats in league and cup with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in Saturday’s early Premier League sport.
The Cherries took a shock lead within the ninth minute when Callum Wilson pounced on lax defending to get on the tip of a Jefferson Lerma cross and slot dwelling on the again publish.
Liverpool responded with heaps of depth and have been rewarded 16 minutes later when Sadio Mane robbed the ball from Jack Simpson deep in Bournemouth territory earlier than scruffily teeing up Mohamed Salah to equalise, and Mane bought a purpose of his personal within the 33rd minute when he raced clear earlier than clipping the ball previous Aaron Ramsdale within the guests’ purpose to place the hosts on their solution to victory.
Positives
Coming from behind to assert three necessary factors ought to present one thing of a lift for a Liverpool aspect that had been going by way of a little bit of a tough patch, and getting although the sport with none additional accidents forward of the essential Champions League round-of-16 second leg in opposition to Atletico Madrid might be a reduction for supervisor Jurgen Klopp.
Negatives
There was an actual vulnerability in regards to the Liverpool again 4 on the counter-attack within the opening 20 minutes, with easy balls excessive inflicting loads of issues for a Reds backline that had seemed impregnable up till a few weeks in the past.
Manager score out of 10
6 — Klopp took the choice to relaxation Andrew Robertson as a precaution forward of the Atletico sport on Wednesday, however stored religion in a ahead line that hadn’t scored in additional than 180 minutes of soccer, and was rewarded with knowledgeable restoration after going a purpose down.
GK Adrian, 6 — A considerably unconvincing save noticed the stand-in keeper tip Nathan Ake’s header onto the crossbar, and whereas he is much less sleek than No. 1 Alisson in the way in which he mops up unfastened balls, the Spaniard was in a position to get the job performed when known as upon.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 6 — Provided a shocking ball with the surface of his proper boot to launch Roberto Firmino within the field for a first-half likelihood, however the guests have been in a position to get in behind the full-back on a couple of event within the opening 45 minutes with the England man caught upfield.
DF Joe Gomez, 6 — Took a shove from Wilson on the way in which to the opener, and it appeared to have an effect on the defender as he was sluggish to react to the referee’s determination to not award the foul, earlier than failing to maintain monitor of the purpose scorer as he tapped dwelling on the again publish.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 — Some superbly sprayed balls out vast created openings for Alexander-Arnold, earlier than a wonderful through-ball launched Mane on purpose to coolly slot dwelling for 2-1.
DF James Milner, 6 — Exposed and outnumbered on the overlap for Bournemouth’s shock opener, however did provide help within the last third and probed the visiting defence with testing balls excessive. A heroic goal-line clearance denied Ryan Fraser an equaliser on the hour after the Bournemouth winger lobbed Adrian.
MF Fabinho, 6 — We’re nonetheless but to see Fabinho at his very best since getting back from a six-week harm lay off in January, and the Brazilian had some often heavy touches and would not fairly seem to have discovered his rhythm in 2020.
MF Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 6 — Has baggage of power and actually helps set the tone for a way all the group presses the opponent, however nonetheless not the completed article with regard to his defensive duties, which turns into extra of a problem when Jordan Henderson is out the aspect. Replaced by Adam Lallana for the ultimate seven minutes.
MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 6 — Had a busy begin to the sport as Liverpool imposed themselves early on, however took an unintended blow to the face from Ake and by no means actually bought again into the thick of the sport thereafter.
FW Mohamed Salah, 7 — Did brilliantly to get the ball from underneath his toes after a backward go from Mane to fireplace dwelling to get his aspect again degree, in what was a welcome return to type for the ahead.
FW Roberto Firmino, 6 — Forced a good save from Ramsdale after dealing nicely with an ungainly bouncing ball, earlier than someway failing to hit the goal from eight yards out with the purpose at his mercy in second-half harm time. The Brazilian has now gone 19 Premier League video games at Anfield with no purpose, and was changed on the loss of life by Divock Origi.
FW Sadio Mane, 7 — Did nicely to dispossess Bournemouth sub Simpson, earlier than making a meal of what ought to have been a easy go throughout the field for Salah to attain. Fortunately for the Senegalese, his teammate was capable of finding area and tuck the ball away, earlier than Mane bought in on the scoring act himself shortly after when he slotted dwelling confidently from the sting of the field. Inches away from a wonderful second purpose with a curling effort from distance that cannoned off the angle between publish and bar.
Substitutes
Adam Lallana, N/A — Kept the Liverpool, midfield machine ticking over within the closing phases.
Divock Origi, N/A — Not sufficient time to make an impression
