If there is a Premier League trophy for self-destruction, Liverpool is definitely the top candidate. Time after time this season, Arne Slot's team pushes itself into a disadvantage, and that scenario continues to repeat itself in the bitter 2-3 defeat to Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium.
All the motivation gained from the 3-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League quickly disappeared in the rain of southern England. Amine Adli scored in the fifth minute of injury time, bringing home 3 breathtaking points for the home team. VAR could not save Liverpool in the last moment, and once again, the red team could only blame themselves.
When Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed a beautiful free kick in the 80th minute to equalize 2-2, the game seemed to lean towards the away team. However, both teams were not satisfied with one point, creating a chaotic end of the match with a series of missed opportunities. In the end, Adli successfully took advantage of the chaotic situation in the penalty area to finish Liverpool.
That late goal ended The Kop's 13-match unbeaten streak in all competitions and pushed pressure on Slot to an alarming level. Only winning 4 points in the last 5 rounds, Liverpool still has no wins in the Premier League in 2026. They are at risk of falling to the bottom half of the rankings if competitors win all points.
Liverpool's problems were clearly exposed in 7 disastrous minutes in the first half. After a missed clearance by Virgil van Dijk, the ball reached Alex Scott's feet and then Evanilson easily finished to open the score. Not long after, a mistake in a defensive situation when Joe Gomez was injured but was not replaced in time caused the away team to fall into a squad shortage, creating conditions for Alex Jimenez to double the lead.
Slot defended his captain after the match, saying that the strong wind in the field affected the ball handling situation, but that was not the first time Liverpool paid the price for personal errors this season. Gomez's injury made the defense even more fragile, forcing Wataru Endo to play as an unwilling center-back.
Liverpool promptly ignited hope when Van Dijk headed to narrow the score before halftime. This is only their second goal from corner kicks in the Premier League this season, after a total of 118 times. Szoboszlai's equalizer in the second half also came from a set piece, but the weakness in defense continued to haunt when Adli's decisive goal came from a long throw.
Only Bournemouth conceded more goals from set pieces than Liverpool this season, while Slot's team conceded 5 goals after the 90th minute - all of which led to narrow draws or defeats.
We didn't play badly throughout the match, in just 7 minutes everything collapsed. Every time something special happens, we make things difficult for ourselves. That seems to be the image throughout the season" - Slot admitted.
The lack of squad depth continues to be a serious problem. Gomez's injury leaves Liverpool with only 2 experienced center-backs, including Ibrahima Konate who is out for family reasons. Hugo Ekitike has to sit on the bench to avoid overload, while Alexander Isak has not yet returned. Kerkez and Frimpong both had to leave the field early due to fitness.
In the context of a tight schedule and the upcoming transfer window, Liverpool's non-fortification is becoming a risky gamble. Andy Robertson having to play against his forte after Kerkez withdrew further shows that the team has no more choices, and the possibility of him joining Tottenham will make the personnel problem more complicated.
Liverpool was once a strong team both physically and mentally last season, but everything seemed to have disappeared. Positive performances were often ruined by personal mistakes, lack of concentration and fragile feelings every time the match entered a decisive moment.
