Cherries stun Liverpool, as Van Dijk treats them with double blunder
Reading Time: 4min | Sat. 24.01.26. | 22:37
The Dutchman's rookie errors paved the way for Bournemouth's 3-2 victory, while Amine Adli became their hero, scoring the winner in the 95th minute
He is considered one of the best central defenders the Premier League has ever had. He is considered one of the best captains in England's top flight at the moment. And he definitely is a man who marked an important era at Anfield. But Virgil van Dijk is sometimes unrecognizable. Today was that day.
With two blunders in the span of seven minutes (26th and 33rd), the Dutchman paved the way for Bournemouth's 2-0 lead, as Evanilson and Alejandro Jimenez seized the gifted chances.
Van Dijk can't tackle, can't hold a line, can't clear the ball.
— HAx 🪓🧟♂️⚽️ (@OrangeMentosSzn) January 24, 2026
Honestly the most overrated defender in the game history pic.twitter.com/6H1VBbIl9N
The Reds' skipper did reduce the gap in the final minute of the opening half, and when Dominik Szoboszlai levelled ten minutes before the end, it seemed that Liverpool would draw for the fifth time in a row in the Premier League.
Yet, Amine Adli prevented it, upsetting the giants deep in added time, after another confused reaction of the Reds' defence!
Things do not look good for Arne Slot and his lads.
As usual in recent duels between Bournemouth and Liverpool, the goals did not lack, as the first half alone brought three. At the same time, the opening 45 minutes at Vitality Stadium were all about Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman scored only once, but his horrific rookie mistakes led to the Cherries' two goals. As if the Reds' captain became totally lost between the 26th and 33rd minute, he unintentionally significantly helped Andoni Iraola's crew.
First, he tried to clear the ball out of his team's box nonchalantly but failed, giving Alex Scott a perfect chance to steal it and set up the opener for Evanilson.
Seven minutes later, Van Dijk was the only member of Liverpool's defence to stay behind and not hold the line, letting Alejandro Jimenez avoid the offside trap and double Bournemouth's lead.
However, those errors didn't dishearten VVD, as he took advantage of the final opportunity before the break to reduce the gap with a skilful header following Dominik Szoboszlai's corner kick.
Apart from that set piece, the Reds hardly threatened Djordje Petrovic's goal, despite having the possession control.
Although many would think the goal in the nick of time before the break would give the visitors additional strength, motive, and confidence boost, it was far from the truth. On the contrary, Bournemouth imposed their rhythm, while the only Reds' attempts were long-range strikes, mainly blocked by the Cherries' defence.
Iraola's men mostly focused on counterattacks, dangerous long throws, and defending their advantage, but apart from occasionally causing panic in Liverpool's box, their offensive efforts weren't too serious.
Nevertheless, when a team has such a free-kick taker like Szoboszlai, one cannot rely solely on defending. This time, it wasn't a direct strike, as Mohamed Salah played a short pass for the Hungarian, but the outcome was the same as three days ago against Marseille - Szobo's goal!
The ultimate fireworks began in the final ten minutes. Evanilson could have stunned the Reds minutes after their leveller, but wasted a colossal chance, firing wide off the post from close range. Florian Wirtz responded on the other side, but couldn't get the ball past Petrovic.
Still, that wasn't the end of excitement, as one long throw and a melee in the visitors' box led to Amine Adli's winner for Bournemouth deep in added time, as Iraola's crew served a cold vengeance to Liverpool for the defeat they suffered at Anfield a couple of months ago, when the Reds scored in the dying minutes!
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 23
Saturday
West Ham - Sunderland 3-1 (3-0)
/Summerville 14, Bowen 28 pen, Fernandes 43 - Brobbey 66/
Burnley - Tottenham 2-2 (1-1)
/Tuanzebe 45, Foster 76 - Van de Ven 38, Romero 90/
Fulham - Brighton 2-1 (0-1)
/Chukwueze 72, Wilson 90+2 - Ayari 28/
Man. City - Wolverhampton 2-0 (2-0)
/Marmoush 6, Semenyo 45+2/
Bournemouth - Liverpool 3-2 (2-1)
/Evanilson 26, Jimenez 33, Adli 90+5 - Van Dijk 45, Szoboszlai 80/
Sunday
17.00: (1.88) Brentford (3.50) Nott.Forest (4.30)
17.00: (3.60) Crystal Palace (3.80) Chelsea (2.05)
17.00: (2.05) Newcastle (3.75) Aston Villa (3.65)
19.30: (1.60) Arsenal (4.30) Man.Utd. (5.75)
Monday
23.00: (2.55) Everton (3.25) Leeds (3.10)
***odds are subject to change***
