Liverpool travelled to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening to face Bournemouth in the Premier League, but the first-half of the encounter wasn't without its fair share of drama
Arne Slot fumes
Arne Slot was fuming(Image: Getty Images)
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Arne Slot and Alisson were spotted fuming as his team opted to keep possession of the ball instead of putting it out of play to allow Joe Gomez to be substituted. The centre-half was moving gingerly as a result of clashing with Alisson in the 26th minute as Evanilson put Bournemouth 1-0 up against the defending Premier League champions on Saturday evening.
Play carried on as Wataru Endo warmed up on the sidelines to replace Gomez, with Liverpool holding possession for the most part. However, when the ball switched hands without going out of play, the Cherries made the Reds pay for their lapse in judgement.
James Hill was allowed to drive deep into Liverpool's half unchallenged as Slot's side held their shape, before finding Alex Jiminez bursting into the box with pace from the right flank 33 minutes in. From there, the Spaniard coolly slotted the ball under Alisson to put the hosts 2-0 up.
Frustration from the Liverpool keeper was evident as he looked with astonishment at his outfield players, while Slot was spotted fuming given his starting XI had a fair chance to put the ball out of play to allow Endo to replace Gomez before possession changed hands.
Virgil van Dijk managed to eat into the deficit on the stroke of half-time connecting with Dominik Szoboszlai's corner at the front post and dipping Djordje Petrovic with a pacey header. However, work is still needed as Liverpool return to the field for the second 45 if they harbour any hopes of taking something from the match.
Should Gomez be injured from his clash with Alisson in the process of the second Bournemouth goal, it could prove incredibly problematic for Liverpool. The Reds are lacking depth in defence at present, given injuries to the likes of Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley.
Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate was also absent from Saturday's clash with Bournemouth as a result of the death of his father, Hamady. Elsewhere, Andy Robertson has been linked with a move to Spurs this month as he enters the final months of his contract at Anfield, which could see Kostas Tsimikas return early from his loan with Roma.
Alisson and Joe Gomez clash
Alisson and Joe Gomez clashed(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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Further injury worries emerged as Liverpool returned from the interval, with Milos Kerkez being subbed off against his former club with Robertson being deployed at left-back instead. However, it is unknown as to whether the Hungarian's substitution was owing to a poor first-half of football or a knock.
It comes as Liverpool also missed out on securing Marc Guehi in the January transfer window, with the former Crystal Palace skipper opting for a move to Manchester City instead. The Premier League titans were in pursuit of the centre-half for the majority of the summer, almost securing a £35million move for Guehi until the deal collapsed at the 11th hour of deadline day.
While many fans were anticipating the Reds to go back in for the 25-year-old this month, City emerged as shock contenders as they looked to bring in cover as a result of injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias. Pep Guardiola's Sky Blues then stepped up their approach, securing Guehi in a £20m transfer.
While Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bodo/Glimt came a little too soon to deploy the Englishman, he was utilised in the heart of defence at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday - helping keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Wolves in the Premier League.
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