Liverpool's defense doomed them against Bournemouth, and it could cost them the league
Liverpool are legitimate title contenders. There's no way to argue otherwise. But if they don't win the Premier League, you can bet it will be because of their defense, and you could see exactly why as they blew two two-goal leads and lost 4-3 to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Staked to a 2-0 lead, the Reds gave one back because a clumsy tackle by James Milner gifted Bouremouth a penalty. And while Liverpool did respond with a goal to regain their two-goal advantage, it all fell apart from there.
Liverpool couldn't track runners on the counter or deal with basic dragged back passes.
They let Bouremouth get on the end of crosses and take multiple touches without anything resembling a challenge.
And they didn't bother to stay with Cherries players after shots, making it easy for them to get multiple rebounds.
Bournemouth didn't a single thing that was overly spectacular. None of the goals were particularly well-worked. It was all basic stuff, but Liverpool couldn't handle the basic stuff.
The scary thing for Liverpool is that this was the concern for them heading into the season and while they played well enough to be right in the title race from the start, they have had hints of defensive breakdowns. This match was just one giant breakdown at the back and it cost them three points. There's no telling how many more it could cost them this season too.
Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan weren't exactly transcendent signings to revitalize a shaky defense, but Jurgen Klopp thought they were enough in the summer transfer window. Now he has to make the best of them because while the Reds won't give up three late goals with any regularity, conceding cheap goals has been a problem. They haven't yet sorted out the basics, and they won't win the title if they can't handle simple crosses or stick with runners or limit rebounds.
Ryan Fraser sparks Bournemouth's UNBELIEVABLE rally with this goal! https://t.co/AFhoMxeca2
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 4, 2016
Three. To. Three.
— NBCSN (@NBCSN) December 4, 2016
You've GOT to check out the ending of #BOULIV right now. #PLonNBC https://t.co/NdLVK6D4Sh
Bournemouth have NEVER beaten Liverpool in its history...until TODAY thanks to NATHAN AKE's clutch late goal!!!! https://t.co/IgRPORZZ6n
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) December 4, 2016
