Liverpool's 3-2 Collapse: Why the 'Unbeaten' Run Was Always a Lie
Amine Adli's 95th-minute winner for Bournemouth wasn't just a shock—it was the inevitable puncture of a balloon that’s been leaking air for weeks. While the pundits praise the drama, let’s talk about the amateur hour on the Liverpool bench.
So, the bubble finally burst. After a month of walking the tightrope without a safety net, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have fallen off. The scoreboard at the Vitality Stadium says 3-2, and the headline writers are already typing up odes to the "Magic of the Premier League" and Amine Adli’s stoppage-time heroism. Spare me the romance, mates.
This wasn't a freak accident. This was a car crash in slow motion that started long before Adli’s final kick.
The 'Gomez Gap' (Or: Amateur Hour)
Let’s rewind to the 33rd minute. Liverpool are already trailing 1-0 thanks to Virgil van Dijk—usually the Rolls Royce, today looking more like a beat-up Holden ute—gifting Evanilson the opener. But the second goal? That’s the one that should keep Slot awake at night.
Joe Gomez goes down. Everyone sees it. The physio sees it. The tea lady in the third row sees it. Yet, while Liverpool dithered about the substitution, Alex Jimenez strolled through a defence that was literally missing a man. It’s the kind of Sunday League disorganisation that gets you fined a crate of beers, not something you expect from title contenders. Playing with 10 men because you can't decide on a sub? (Frankly, it’s embarrassing).
The "Unbeaten" Mirage
The optimists will point to Dominik Szoboszlai’s 80th-minute free-kick—a absolute peach, by the way—as proof of Liverpool’s resilience. "Look, they fought back from 2-0 down!" Sure. But fighting back against Bournemouth (no offence to the Cherries, they were brilliant) shouldn't be the benchmark.
⚡ The Essentials
The Result: Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool (Adli 90+5')
The Collapse: Liverpool surrender a 13-game unbeaten streak.
The Reality Check: This follows four straight draws. The Reds haven't won a league game in 2026.
We need to talk about this "unbeaten run" that just ended. It’s the biggest red herring in football. Thirteen games without a loss sounds majestic until you realise the last four were draws. Draws against teams they should be burying.
| Opponent | Result | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Man Utd (A) | 0-0 | Toothless |
| Brentford (H) | 1-1 | Sloppy |
| Spurs (A) | 2-2 | Lucky |
| Bournemouth (A) | 2-3 | Disastrous |
See the pattern? This isn't a team momentarily stumbling; it's a team that has forgotten how to kill games. The midfield, usually Slot’s engine room, looked porous. Ryan Gravenberch picked up a booking that screamed frustration, and by the time Adli bundled in that winner, it felt less like a theft and more like justice.
Is Top 4 Even Safe?
Here’s the uncomfortable question nobody wants to ask yet: Is the title race actually over? Liverpool are now dangerously drifting. While they’ve been patting themselves on the back for "not losing", Manchester City and Arsenal have been winning. The gap isn't just points anymore; it’s psychological.
Bournemouth didn't just win three points today; they exposed the blueprint. Press Van Dijk (he’s rattling), isolate the full-backs, and wait for the inevitable defensive lapse. If Arne Slot doesn't fix the defensive arrogance—and fast—we won't be talking about a title charge in May. We'll be talking about the Europa League.
"It’s not bad luck when it happens five times in a row. It’s a habit."
Fair dinkum, Liverpool. Wake up.
