Liverpool's dismal start to 2026 continued as Amine Adli struck in the dying moments to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory for Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Arne Slot's side remain without a Premier League triumph this calendar year following another frustrating afternoon on the south coast.
The Reds appeared to have salvaged a point when Dominik Szoboszlai found the net from distance, but Adli's late intervention condemned the visitors to yet another setback.
Self-inflicted wounds proved Liverpool's undoing once more, with defensive lapses throughout the contest ultimately proving decisive against a Bournemouth side that had won just once in their previous fourteen matches.
Bournemouth star Amine Adli scrambled a last-gasp winner against Liverpool
|REUTERS
Virgil van Dijk's error gifted Bournemouth their opening goal, with Evanilson capitalising on the captain's mistake.
Milos Kerkez, facing his former employers, endured a torrid first half marked by rash defending and costly lapses in concentration.
Alex Jimenez doubled the hosts' advantage in circumstances that compounded Liverpool's misery.
Joe Gomez, who had performed superbly in the midweek victory over Marseille, was forced off after sustaining an injury caused by Van Dijk's misjudgment, which led to goalkeeper Alisson Becker inadvertently harming his own teammate.
Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez were at fault for Liverpool's defensive errors in the first half
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Slot had been urging Alisson to put the ball out of play to allow a substitution, but his instructions went unheeded as Bournemouth scored their second while Liverpool played with ten men.
Van Dijk partially atoned for his earlier blunder by heading home from a corner to reduce the deficit before half-time.
The interval brought a change at left-back, with Andy Robertson replacing the struggling Kerkez, much to the delight of the home supporters who had watched their former player toil.
Robertson's introduction served as a reminder of the Scotland captain's continued value, even as speculation links him with a move to Tottenham.
Szoboszlai's long-range effort appeared to have rescued a point for the visitors, yet Bournemouth remained relatively comfortable throughout the second period despite Liverpool's equaliser.
Ibrahima Konate's absence owed to the tragic passing of his father this week, leaving Slot desperately short of defensive options.
Full-time SCENES at the Vitality Stadium! 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 24, 2026
Arne Slot is fuming! 😳 pic.twitter.com/HsqpcEf9Ie
The situation forced Wataru Endo into an unfamiliar centre-back role, with Alexis Mac Allister frequently dropping deep to compensate for the Japanese midfielder's limited distribution capabilities.
Liverpool's failure to secure Marc Guehi, who joined Manchester City instead, now appears increasingly costly.
Should Gomez face an extended spell on the sidelines, the threadbare nature of the Reds' backline will be exposed further.
Arne Slot is in trouble at Liverpool after a difficult season
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Slot's men remain in contention for Champions League qualification, though performances of this calibre threaten even that modest ambition.