Slot Reaction & Gomez Injury Update: Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool

Liverpool’s unbeaten streak got here to a crashing halt after they misplaced away to Bournemouth on the ultimate kick of the sport. After a loss like this, the boss and the captain must take duty, and each Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot did simply that.

A 1-2 Punch

Liverpool had been dominating the match within the first 20 minutes, however the Cherries scored each first-half targets simply seven minutes aside.

“The primary purpose was a tough ball to evaluate within the circumstances,” Van Dijk mentioned. “The wind was very tough. To concede that one is clearly is just not a problem as a result of I believe we managed the sport earlier than that, however then with 10 males, you possibly can argue that possibly we have to kick the ball out, however to concede two targets in a brief interval is just not good. However the purpose I scored earlier than halftime was necessary. Within the second half, we tried arduous to get again into the sport with a terrific free kick, however once more, the lengthy throw-in.”

A Merciless Recreation

Liverpool most likely really feel like victims of arduous luck after battling again from a 2-0 deficit, solely to lose on the dying. Slot confirmed as a lot when talking to Sky Sports activities.

“In the event you lose once more in further time after getting back from 2-nil down, then it may be a merciless recreation for us certainly. … There have been solely 5-10 minutes within the first half the place we didn’t have complete management. For big components of the primary half and the second half. “It felt to me continuously that if we made it 2-1, we might have the ability to come again into the sport. We had been there, lots of occasions in promising positions. Second half complete dominance. It is truthful to say within the final 10 minutes, it was extra open. I may see my gamers had been drained ultimately trigger we solely had two days between the video games.”

Damage Replace

Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez was compelled off with a knee harm after colliding with Alisson on Bournemouth’s first purpose.

“Joe received a knock from Ali,” Slot mentioned. “His knee went into someplace [in his leg] . I believe it was bone on bone. You possibly can see he was not in a position to proceed. Ali had some swelling in his knee. I do not know if Joe goes to coach in two or three days, that’s tough to say, but it surely was clear he could not proceed right this moment.”

Defensive Disaster?

Joe Gomez’s harm and Ibrahima Konate’s absence create a little bit of a defensive disaster. Wataru Endo is a stable participant, however not a long-term resolution. Milos Kerkez struggled and was changed by Andy Robertson. Robertson performed effectively however has been closely linked with a transfer to Tottenham. Even Virgil van Dijk struggled right this moment. If that continues, Slot and Liverpool can have some robust decisions to make.”

LFC Globe Verdict

I’ve been a Slot defender by way of the ups & downs of the marketing campaign, however the boss made some head-scratching selections right this moment. Why change formations? If you wish to begin Cody Gakpo for Ekitiké, let him play as a lone striker up prime and preserve Salah as an attacking winger on the correct. Don’t mess with a very good formation that noticed you unbeaten within the final 13. Additionally, why not have the crew play the ball out when you find yourself all the way down to 10 males after the Gomez harm? That call led on to a Bournemouth purpose.