Liverpool running on empty in Bournemouth defeat, says Slot

LIVERPOOL — Liverpool boss Arne Slot blamed fatigue for his side's first defeat in 14 games as Bournemouth's Amine Adli struck with virtually the last kick of the game to snatch a 3-2 win for the Cherries on Saturday.

Slot had steadied the ship in recent months after a run of nine defeats in 12 games earlier in the campaign for the English champion.

But the Reds have now failed to win in their last five Premier League games in a major dent to their hopes of Champions League qualification next season.

In contrast to its domestic troubles, Liverpool took a giant step towards the Champions League last 16 with a 3-0 win in Marseille on Wednesday.

Slot, though, blamed the tight turnaround and his threadbare options due to a number of injuries for his side running out of steam.

The visitor had fought back from 2-0 down to level with 10 minutes to go thanks to goals from Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai.

But Bournemouth had missed two big chances to win the game in the closing stages even prior to Adli's 95th minute strike.

"They probably had even more chances than us (in the final 10 minutes) which shouldn't come as a complete surprise to me knowing that we've played two days before in Marseille.

"For the last four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 games we've had to play with the same players (due to) the players we had available and then sometimes a few of them could be at the end of the game a bit tired.

"I think that's what you could see at the end today as well."

Bournemouth's second goal came while Liverpool was down to 10 men as Joe Gomez was forced off injured to further deplete Slot's options at centerback.

Midfielder Wataru Endo had to deputise at the heart of the defence with Ibrahima Konate absent on compassionate leave after the death of his father and Giovanni Leoni out for the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Slot introduced Andy Robertson at half-time despite speculation that the Scotland captain could join Tottenham before the end of the transfer window.

Robertson has just six months left on his contract and is reportedly keen for more first-team action after falling behind Milos Kerkez in the pecking order at Anfield.

But Slot insisted that he needs all the bodies he can get right now.

"I need all my players," added Slot."Robbo had to come in at half-time because I always knew another 90 minutes for Milos against a very intense Bournemouth side was not a possibility.

"There are a lot of games to play and with the players available I have to manage that as well because the last thing we need right now is another injury."

Man City success

Pep Guardiola said his success at Manchester City has come in spite of refereeing decisions going against his side in a tirade following Saturday's 2-0 win over Wolves.

City was denied a penalty in the first half when referee Farai Hallam, who was taking charge of his first Premier League game, refused to overturn his initial decision not to give a handball against Yerson Mosquera despite being called to review the incident by VAR.

Guardiola was also angered that Diogo Dalot escaped a red card in the opening stages of last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Manchester United despite catching Jeremy Doku on the knee with his studs.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has won six Premier League titles in his nine full seasons in England.

But City was badly hit by injuries last year as Liverpool romped to the title and trails Arsenal by four points at the top of the table this season.

"These (last) two seasons I had the feeling, why don't I have the players? That is my only regret," said Guardiola.

"I would love to have the players to fight against that (the refereeing decisions). They (City) won despite them.

"The referee made a huge debut. Now everybody will know him. I think it's the first time they go to the TV and disallow (a penalty)."

Guardiola's decision to hand a rare rest to Erling Haaland paid off as Omar Marmoush took his chance to deputise for the Norwegian by opening the scoring.

Antoine Semenyo then struck his third goal since joining City from Bournemouth earlier this month.

Marc Guehi also made his City debut at centerback after sealing his move from Crystal Palace.

Guardiola believes Guehi and Semenyo will make a major impact in the second half of the season, with City still involved in four competitions.

"They are set-up players," added Guardiola. "Last season (the January signings) was young players, except Omar.

"Antoine came with incredible energy and strikers are about numbers. Since he arrived he has been unbelievable.

"Marc, I don't need to tell you who he is. He knows everything. I remember it is similar to when Ruben (Dias) arrived and he had incredible focus for every action.

"With the ball he has incredible composure. We didn't train anything yet but I have the feeling in the middle (of defence) we did a little better.

"He's the perfect age and he's the perfect signing for many, many years. He's a guy you can rely on. I see it in two sessions. How he sees, how he moves, how he talks, how he reads the situations."

AFP