Liverpool lost against Bournemouth on Saturday night to make it five games without a win in the Premier League.
Shockingly, the Reds are yet to pick up three points in a match during 2026 as they struggle to shake off their autumn malaise.
Although Liverpool did well to come back from two goals down, they were undone once again with a sloppy goal right at the end. There were some really poor performances from those in all white, including that of captain Virgil van Dijk.
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Who was Liverpool’s worst player as they fell to a pathetic loss against Bournemouth?
Mohamed Salah chases the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
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The skipper was not the only one to serve up a disappointing display, however, as Liverpool players failed to make it count once again.
Here’s how we rated Arne Slot’s men on a wet night on the South Coast.
Defence
Alisson Becker – 5: Arne Slot was spotted screaming at Alisson to put the ball out before Bournemouth’s second goal, but the Brazilian failed to listen. No blame attached for either goal, but will be disappointed to have been beaten one-v-one by Alex Jimenez. Vital save just after 2-2 to keep the score level. A mess for the winner.
Jeremie Frimpong – 4: Dangerous as ever with his pace, but was far too lax in possession, giving away possession easily on a number of occasions before being replaced.
Andy Robertson pictured during Liverpool's Premier League match against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
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Joe Gomez – 5: Was comfortable before being taken out by Alisson and replaced early on. Predictably, his spell in the team lasted only two matches.
Virgil van Dijk – 3: Inexplicably casual in the build-up to the first goal as he failed to clear a long ball over the top. With Liverpool in control int was a really poor moment which shaped the rest of the game. Headed in a good goal just before the break, but not enough to redeem a really disappointing performance.
Milos Kerkez – 4: Struggled up against Jimenez and seemed to get drawn into a battle with the Spaniard on his return to the Vitality. Hooked at half-time.
Midfield
Alexis Mac Allister – 5: Looked tidy in the opening quarter of the game but failed to impose himself fully and was replaced early in the second-half.
READ MORE: Liverpool fans swarming to make same point about Virgil van Dijk vs Bournemouth
Ryan Gravenberch – 5: Like Mac Allister, Gravenberch just couldn’t really impose himself on the game save for a handful of nice touches here and there.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6: Could not have his usual influence but still picked up an assist and a wonderful equalising goal. Moved to right-back in the second-half and confirmed his status as Liverpool’s main man with a sensational free-kick goal. Not at his best, but still mightily influential.
Attack
Mohamed Salah – 3: Salah started well against Bournemouth but soon displayed all of the worries fans have come to have about him. Slow on the attack, terrible on set-pieces and toothless with his shooting, the Egyptian needs to do much, much better than this. Did claim and assist with a cheeky backheel for Szoboszlai’s free-kick.
Florian Wirtz – 5: Liverpool’s brightest spark a lot of the time, as he usually has been of late, but could not find his best link-up after some promising early exchanges.
Liverpool lose. What went wrong at Bournemouth?
Virgil van Dijk passes the ball during Liverpool's Premier League match against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
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Cody Gakpo – 3: Another listless performance from Gakpo who continues to look like a fish out of water. Slot cannot keep starting him in this kind of form.
Substitutes
Wataru Endo – 6 – Man of the Match: Was arguably Liverpool’s best player after coming on during the first-half. Slotted in well next to Van Dijk and almost set Gakpo away with a lovely through ball early into the second period. May be needed much more after Gomez’s latest injury.
Andy Robertson – 4: The man of the moment had the chance to show Slot why he should be starting over Kerkez but did nothing to convince. Robertson’s final game could come in midweek and on this evidence, it might be time to say goodbye.
Curtis Jones – 6: Offered much more than either Mac Allister or Gravenberch as he go a proper foot on the ball. No decisive moments, but kept things moving in a positive direction.
Hugo Ekitike – 4: Went down far too easily to lose the ball in a dangerous position not long after coming on and didn’t quite look at the races. Still set up a good chance for Wirtz and showed off his dancing feet around the Bournemouth penalty box.
Rio Ngumoha – 6: Did well to win the free-kick which Szoboszlai scored from and tested a tiring Cherries defence. Still needs a little more end product but this was a positive outing.
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