Virgil van Dijk was accused of giving up defending for Bournemouth’s goal as Liverpool lost 1-0 on the south coast.
The Reds were looking to follow up their incredible 7-0 mauling of Manchester United last Sunday to launch an assault on the top four.
Billing scored to down Liverpool
But they were sent back to square one instead after a miserable performance at the Vitality Stadium, which saw them lose 1-0 courtesy of a Philip Billing goal in the first-half.
Liverpool had the chance to equalise in the second-half when they were awarded their first penalty of the season in the Premier League when Diogo Jota’s header struck Smith’s arm.
It came about after Dango Ouattara was sent racing through on goal after Adam Smith played a long ball over the top of Liverpool’s high line.
The 21-year-old, signed from Lorient in January, battled with Van Dijk and won before squaring the ball to Billing to smash past Alisson with ease.
Commentating on the match for talkSPORT was former Chelsea and Charlton star Scott Minto, who could not believe what he saw from the Liverpool defender and accused him of giving up the fight.
He said on air: “The pace of Ouattara in behind, it’s a high line and a simple ball over the top. I don’t know what Van Dijk was doing. It looked like he gave it up there.
AFP
Van Dijk struggled against Ouattara
Getty
Van Dijk was accused of giving up
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“I really don’t know what Van Dijk was doing, he didn’t seem to stay with Outtara at all.
“Of course he’s a key member of the squad and one of the best centre-backs in world football, but he has been complaining about fitness and the schedule.
“If he’s not right, rest him! That’s what a big squad is for.”
Liverpool’s loss is a major blow to their top-four hopes after such a brilliant week for the Reds following the demolition of their rivals United.
Salah also missed a penalty in the second-half
It saw them jump into fifth while mounting some serious momentum while fourth-placed Tottenham appear to be in dire straits.
But the result leaves Liverpool still three points behind while they face an even bigger test next week when they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Having lost the first leg an astounding 5-2 at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s side must mount a three-goal comeback at the Bernabeu to stand a chance of going through to the next round.
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