A goal and an assist for Dominik Szoboszlai saw him stand out as Liverpool’s best player in the 3-2 defeat away to Bournemouth, but it was a defensive shambles across the pitch.
Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool
Premier League (23) | Vitality Stadium
January 24, 2026
Goals: Van Dijk 45′, Szoboszlai 80′; Evanilson 26′, Jimenez 33′, Adli 90+5′
Alisson – 6 (out of 10)
By Alisson‘s standards, he will have liked to do better for all of Bournemouth‘s goals, with the first two shots squeezing past him.
That’s being ultra-critical, though, and he made a great fingertip save to deny Ryan Christie late on.
Jeremie Frimpong – 6
Frimpong’s pace down the right was a constant outlet, but you were left wanting more in terms of end product.
But that applied to so many Liverpool players as there was no shortage of possession, with the Reds finishing with 67 percent possession.
Arguably unlucky to be replaced in the second half, just as his influence was starting to grow.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez lies injured after clashing with goalkeeper Alisson Becker (R) whilst conceeding the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Joe Gomez – 6
Gomez just can’t catch a break, can he?
After an excellent display against Marseille in midweek, he only just made it past the half-hour mark before colliding with Alisson trying to block Evanilson’s opener.
He had been solid until that point and you can only hope his issue is nothing serious.
Virgil van Dijk – 5
It was a poor evening for Van Dijk, who was far too lackadaisical for the opener, not clearing the danger at all.
Liverpool’s skipper headed his side back into the game on the stroke of half-time, but was the leader of a defence that was all at sea – not that the constant changes helped in any way.
Just not himself this season.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Milos Kerkez – 5
Kerkez struggled against his former club, with the boos from the home fans arguably having on impact on him.
He lost Alex Jimenez for Bournemouth‘s second goal, switching off at a bad moment, and didn’t offer enough going forward.
Hooked at half-time, which speaks volumes about his performance.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Gravenberch was neat and tidy, but as has been the case for much of this season, you were left wanting him to take the game on and do more in possession.
Too often, he chose the safe option on the ball, and he has the talent to be so much more incisive in his play.
Shot wide from distance after the break and worked hard.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's players form a pre-match huddle before the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Mac Allister was nothing more than fine, which has been the case all season long.
He took more risks in possession than Gravenberch, but like his midfield colleague, he didn’t inject enough pace in his game.
Looks so slow and doesn’t appear to be fully fit.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7 (Man of the Match)
Szoboszlai has played better this season, but he got a goal and an assist to his name, with Van Dijk steering home his corner.
There were the usual bursts from midfield before he switched to right-back on the hour mark, and he brilliantly curled home his second free-kick of the week to make it 2-2.
Streets ahead of the rest this season.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring his side's second and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Mohamed Salah – 5
Salah played his first Premier League game since AFCON, and his first start since November 22, but he was hugely disappointing.
He was so wasteful on the ball, from wayward shots to sloppy passes, and he has lost the scintillating pace he once possessed.
Simply not the Salah of old.
Florian Wirtz – 6
Once again, Wirtz was often Liverpool’s biggest creative spark and the one to find pockets of space, but he was far from perfect.
The Reds’ £116 million man was guilty of losing the ball in good areas, with one horrible pass late on a massive waste.
There’s a world-class player in there – he just needs to show it more consistently.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is challenged by Bournemouth's Adrien Truffert (L) and Amine Adli (R) during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Cody Gakpo – 5
Back in the side in place of Hugo Ekitike, Gakpo did nowhere near enough to justify his selection.
The Dutchman did his usual cutting inside often, which lead to nothing, and he is painful watch at the moment.
Overall Team Performance – 5
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool substitutes Curtis Jones (L) and Hugo Ekitike awaiting to come on during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Substitutes
Wataru Endo (on for Gomez, 35′) – 6
Typically dogged, but understandably found it hard at centre-back having played hardly any minutes this season.
Andy Robertson (on for Kerkz, 46′) – 6
Robertson’s name was sung by the travelling fans, amid rumours of a move to Tottenham. He brought energy to the team, but his use of the ball was inconsistent.
Curtis Jones (on for Mac Allister, 58′) – 5
Got robbed on the ball cheaply and didn’t stamp his authority on the game at all.
Hugo Ekitike (on for Frimpong, 58′) – 5
Touch was poor and gave away cheap free-kicks, one wrongly. Frustrating.
Rio Ngumoha (on for Gakpo, 73′) – 7
Won the free-kick that Szoboszlai and did far more than Gakpo, could have also won a penalty if he was not so honest. Such a special talent.
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Ramsay, Nyoni
Arne Slot – 4
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) and Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola before the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Another week, another unacceptable bad day under Slot.
Liverpool’s performance wasn’t good enough, even though they dominated possession, with the mentality so poor this season.
Whether the failure to get Endo on the pitch before Bournemouth scored their second goal is Slot’s fault is up for debate, but it sums up the sloppy nature of Liverpool this season.
A change is needed in the dugout, with panicky substitutions yet again on show.