Alan Shearer delivered scathing criticism of Liverpool's defending after the Reds' 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth ended the team's 13-match unbeaten run on Saturday
Connor O'Neill
17:19, 26 Jan 2026
Alan Shearer has made his feelings clear
Alan Shearer has made his feelings clear(Image: The Rest Is Football)
Alan Shearer has delivered a withering verdict on Liverpool's defensive display against Bournemouth.
The Reds witnessed their 13-match unbeaten streak come to a halt against the Cherries on Saturday. Liverpool rallied from a two-goal deficit at the Vitality Stadium, only for Amine Adli to net the decisive strike with practically the final touch of the match.
Nevertheless, the Reds were the masters of their own misfortune, as some woeful defending permitted Andoni Iraola's outfit to establish a commanding 2-0 advantage. Skipper Virgil van Dijk miscalculated a ball over the top prior to Evanilson's 26th-minute breakthrough, left Alex Jimenez in an onside position for Bournemouth's second, and struggled to handle a long throw into the penalty area before Adli's stoppage-time decider.
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Shearer initially targeted Van Dijk, declaring: "The first goal would give me most concern if I was a fan because, I mean, Van Dijk absolutely should clear it. I know he said bit windy, but that's got nothing to do with it.
"He should clear it and then he didn't do anything. In fact, he tried to pull himself away from blocking the cross, which was really strange."
Shifting his focus to Joe Gomez, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong, the former Newcastle striker remarked on the Rest is Football podcast: "Gomez should've been further over, closer to Evanilson, and the two full-backs in Kerkez and Frimpong – they were just nonexistent.
Liverpool players look on dejectedly after Amine Adli scores Bournemouth's last-gasp winner
Liverpool players look on dejectedly after Amine Adli scores Bournemouth's last-gasp winner(Image: Getty Images)
"They were actually on the edge of the box still when the ball went in the back of the net, despite the ball going over the top. It was staggering how much was wrong with that first goal."
Shearer continued: "Their two full-backs, Frimpong and Kerkez, at times I think they've been all over the place, and we highlighted that in the first goal."
When questioned about Adli's goal, Van Dijk responded: "What I felt on that pitch was that I was clearly blocked, but obviously the ref and VAR don't give it, and that's something we then have to accept.
"In my opinion, I was blocked. But listen, I can stand here and say it should not be given – but it's given, and it is what it is.
"Well, the first goal, I think it was a difficult ball to judge during the circumstances – the wind was very tricky. I think you saw it especially when we played long balls on their side - it was very difficult to judge.
"So to concede that one, it's not an issue... because I think we controlled the game quite well before that. And then, obviously, when we were with 10 men, you can argue that you have to maybe kick the ball out or not.
"But to concede those two goals in a short period is obviously not good at all.
"But I think the goal I scored before half-time was very important in terms of getting that momentum and the feeling for the second half back. I think we showed [in the] second half we worked so hard to get back into the game with a great free-kick.
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"I think we had some good opportunities as well, but in the end, the throw-in cost us."