Liverpool mistakes in the first half against Bournemouth proved costly for Arne Slot's team, even though Virgil van Dijk pulled a goal back with a header. This is what we spotted.
19:25, 24 Jan 2026Updated 19:37, 24 Jan 2026
Arne Slot on the touchline during Bournemouth vs Liverpool.
Arne Slot on the touchline during Bournemouth vs Liverpool.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
VITALITY STADIUM, BOURNEMOUTH // Amine Adli scored a last-minute winner after Dominik Szoboszlai had pulled Liverpool against Bournemouth, with mistakes proving costly and the Reds' wait for their first win in the Premier League in 2026 going on.
Defensively lacking in the first half, Liverpool found itself fortunate only to be a goal down at the break with Evanilson and Alex Jiminez on the scoresheet following Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez errors. The Reds' skipper pulled one back with a header from a corner.
In the second half, though, Bournemouth was relatively comfortable and Arne Slot's side failed to build on the platform it could have given them, even when Szoboszlai scored from distance. Adli then popped up with the winner. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.
READ MORE: Arne Slot's 'uneasy' Mohamed Salah confession after Liverpool tensions boiled overREAD MORE: Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool LIVE: Reds concede late on, score updates, how to watch
Arne Slot instruction ignored
Liverpool, once again, looked like a different team in the Premier League compared to in Europe. This surely cannot have been the same group that won so convincingly in Marseille just a few days ago? Defensively, it was a shambles at times.
Van Dijk made an error for the first and Kerkez looked rash. Bournemouth has been in dire form, winning just one of its last 14 games in all competitions, only beating Tottenham here at the Vitality Stadium.
Andoni Iraola's men, missing some key players, have been really struggling. Here, though, it found things far too easy.
When Joe Gomez was off the field receiving treatment, Arne Slot was screaming at his goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, to put the ball out and allow him to bring on Wataru Endo.
When he was ignored and Liverpool played on, the 10 men lost possession, and Bournemouth doubled its advantage. Just like with the Gomez injury, sustained only because of a Van Dijk mistake, the Reds were making their own problems.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Milos Kerkez reminder
With transfer interest from Tottenham, Andy Robertson has a decision to make. Here, he was with his teammates, though — he and Liverpool have to make a call that suits all parties.
Robertson has been a brilliant servant and if Liverpool does allow him to move on, then it will in part be because it wants to reward and thank him for his services. It might also require Kostas Tsimikas to return from AS Roma.
It was amid the potential change at left-back that Kerkez put in a shaky showing against his old side. Perhaps too keen to impress, he seemed to get in his own head. There were one or two decent moments, but defensive lapses where he was caught out too.
Robertson replaced Kerkez at half-time (something that the home crowd enjoyed), which underlined the importance that the Scotland captain can still have if he stays. Few want him to leave, and this was a reminder of why.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 21: Milos Kerkez of Liverpool FC during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique Marseille v Liverpool at the Stade Vélodrome on January 21, 2026 in Marseille France (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
(Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
Joe Gomez latest injury worry
Joe Gomez was magnificent midweek against Marseille — truly excellent, given he was dropped in almost out of nowhere — and he was trusted (not that there was much choice) to go again here.
Ibrahima Konate's father passed away this week and so Gomez was required to step in. And as ever with him, the issue has never been his quality, but his availability.
On this occasion, it was his own player who injured Gomez rather than a muscle issue, as has been common in the past. Van Dijk's misjudgment led to Alisson causing harm to his own man.
With so few options at the back, it is a clear worry. Liverpool is just so short and is taking a risk by not bringing in another defender having lost out to Manchester City in the race for Marc Guehi.
Joe Gomez collided with Alisson Becker as Evanilson scored Bournemouth's first goal against Liverpool
Joe Gomez collided with Alisson Becker as Evanilson scored Bournemouth's first goal against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Wataru Endo forced to slot in
Until he was taken off, Alexis Mac Allister was often the deepest Liverpool player in the second half of the game, dropping in to compensate for the severe lack of distribution that Wataru Endo can provide.
If Gomez is to be out for any substantial period of time, this was a reminder of how threadbare the Liverpool defense is at the moment. Konate won't be missing forever and was absent here due to a personal matter rather than an injury setback, but it only takes one of two things to go wrong for players to be filling in out of position.
If Endo had to play this role for a sustained period, it is not only a role that he doesn't know well, but also a test of his fitness, given he has never been a regular since arriving from Stuttgart. Liverpool might get away with it, but this is the tightrope being walked.
A soccer player in a red jersey with white stripes on the sleeves celebrates during a match, with an open mouth and a blurred audience in the background.
(Image: Getty Images)
Inconsistent Liverpool again
While Liverpool has been far from consistent in the Premier League this season, it should still be confident of finishing inside the top four or five spots required for qualification for the Champions League.
Article continues below
Arne Slot said as much in his pre-match press conference, and the reality is clear. Liverpool should improve in the second half of the campaign, while those in the race behind the Reds are not exactly consistent themselves.
Results like this, though, will not be helpful for Slot trying to build confidence and a structure that works in the long term. His wait for a league win in 2026 goes on, and Liverpool only had itself to blame here.
You cannot win titles while playing like this. Liverpool is getting dangerously close to not being in contention for the Champions League either, usually because of avoidable lapses.