Liverpool have hit a slump in form once again in the Premier League, with no win in their last five games being compounded by a late defeat to Bournemouth
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
View 2 Images
Alan Shearer believes Liverpool have a number of big problems as he issued a damning verdict following the defeat to Bournemouth. The Reds were hit with a late dagger by Amine Adli after fighting back from 2-0 down to bring the game level and then looking more likely to take all three points.
But there was a sense of déjà vu for Arne Slot, as his side failed to clear their lines from a scramble in the box deep into stoppage time, with Adli managing to turn the ball home to secure his side all three points.
Liverpool are now winless in the last five Premier League games, and Shearer said: “Having gone 2-0 up and getting pegged back to 2-2, Bournemouth showed great character in coming back to somehow find a way to win the game and get three desperately needed points.
Author avatar
Author avatar
“I don’t think anyone could say they didn’t deserve it, given how hard they worked. They have been through a bit of a difficult period, with the team slipping down the table and Antoine Semenyo leaving, but Andoni Iraola is doing a really good job and showing why he’ll be a manager in demand when his contract is up in the summer.
“From Bournemouth’s point of view, they would have looked at Liverpool and thought, ‘Why can’t we beat them?’ – Arne Slot’s side look miles off the team we saw last season.
“Liverpool just don’t look right in all areas. They’re making too many errors and are weak defensively, as we saw with the winning goal. While they scored two goals from set-pieces, they didn’t create anywhere near enough from open play.
“Their aim has to be salvaging the season by qualifying for the Champions League with a top-four or perhaps top-five finish – but that’s a big drop-off from what we saw last season.”
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer then said: "Those results, I know they're draws, but when you're not beating Leeds, you're not beating Fulham, you're not beating Burnley... The Arsenal performance was a good one, but that tells you there's big problems at Anfield."
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: A dejected looking Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after Amine Adli of Bournemouth scored for 3-2 during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool players look on dejectedly after Amine Adli scores Bournemouth's last-gasp winner(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
While former Premier League defender Ashley Williams added: "No, there doesn't [appear to be a settled combination of players]. I don't think he [Slot] knows what's his best team.
"But what's more worrying is the same way we're praising Bournemouth for the fact they can interchange players, and they all seem on the same page, between the units, it seems like they're so disjointed, Liverpool.
"They've got problems at both ends of the pitch, and they're lacking that desire and ruthlessness in front of goal, and to defend the goal."
Blood Red Podcast: Andy Robertson set for shock exit?