Liverpool’s late heart-Ake
Bournemouth comeback stuns Reds as Ake pokes the ball home in stoppage time Fans jeer as Valencia lose their sixth match in a row
Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Manchester United have been caught by late sucker punches in games that finished far more dramatically than they began.
Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool wasted a chance yesterday to return to second place in the table, a point behind Chelsea, by twice surrendering a two-goal lead before losing 4-3 in added time in a thriller at Bournemouth.
United dropped two points at Everton after Marouane Fellaini conceded an 89th-minute penalty soon after the former Goodison Park favourite had gone on as a substitute.
Third-placed Liverpool’s defeat was their first in any competition since August and looked highly improbable when they built on a slow start to cruise into a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.
Sadio Mane and Divock Origi, starting his first league game of the season, scored for the visitors from successive attacks.
Although Bournemouth had strong claims for a penalty turned down as Roberto Firmino challenged Nathan Ake, they didn’t threaten until the introduction of Ryan Fraser 10 minutes after halftime.
He had been on for barely a minute when he won a penalty that Callum Wilson converted.
Emre Can restored Liverpool’s two-goal cushion but they were stunned when, in the space of three minutes, Fraser drove in Wilson’s centre and then defender Steve Cook brought down Fraser’s cross like a striker before driving home the equaliser.
In the third minute of added time Bournemouth secured one of the best wins in their history — and first against Liverpool — as goalkeeper Loris Karius fumbled a shot from long range and Ake poked the ball in.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said it was “a very special day” for his 10th-placed team. “It would have been easy for our players to give up and see out time but our group knows not to give up,” he said.
Klopp said his side gave the points away although he was surprisingly sanguine about the outcome.
“If we learn, then it’s okay,” the Liverpool manager said.
“No road is without rocks and stones. It’s three points, no more, these things happen. The base is pretty good but we need to use our quality more.”
United manager Jose Mourinho also tried to find positives after he had The frustration keeps piling up for Valencia in the Spanish league.
Cesare Prandelli’s team conceded an equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time in a 2-2 draw against Malaga. That extended their winless streak to six games, prompting more jeers from disappointed home fans at Mestalla Stadium.
“We have to stay optimistic,” Prandelli said. “We have to find ways to overcome these obstacles. I know it’s hard, but we have to keep our heads high.”
The hosts appeared in position to finally win for the second time in the league under the former Italy coach, but the defence faltered and Malaga midfielder Pablo Fornals scored from inside the area at the end.
Fornals had scored Malaga’s first goal three minutes into the game, but striker Rodrigo and midfielder Alvaro Medran each netted in the first half to give Valencia a chance to snap the winless streak.
Prandelli won in his first match in charge of Valencia in October, but since then the team lost three times and drew another three in the league, dropping to 16th in the 20-team standings.
“It’s a pity, we played well enough sent on Fellaini against eighth-placed Everton.
The Belgian produced a clumsy tackle on Idrissa Gueye and could only watch as defender Leighton Baines beat the previously defiant David De Gea from the penalty spot.
Earlier, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his run of goals for sixthplaced United with a clever lob via the bar and post as goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg unwisely rushed out of the penalty area.
“We are not getting what we deserve,” Mourinho said.
“You have [other] teams playing defensive and counter-attacking football but getting results.
“I’m happy my team is playing extremely well. But this season what matters is the results.”
With six draws in the last eight league games and only one victory, results are not going United’s way, leaving them nine points behind Manchester City who are fourth. to win this game but we let it escape again,” Rodrigo said. “We have to stay united and keep working hard.”
Valencia won 3-1 at Leganes in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey.
Malaga, unbeaten in four league games, are in 11th place with 20 points.
Leader Real Madrid drew with Barcelona 1-1 in Sunday’s “clasico” at Camp Nou to reach 34 points and maintain a six-point advantage over their Catalan rival.
Sevilla are third with 27 points and Atletico Madrid fourth with 25.
Playmaker Benat Etxebarria scored with a superb free kick just before halftime to lead Athletic Bilbao to victory over Eibar, getting his team back in the fight for a Europa League spot.
Etxebarria perfectly curled a rightfooted shot over the wall from near the left corner of the penalty area in the 42nd minute. The powerful strike went into the top left corner.
Forward Inaki Williams added to Athletic’s lead in the 55th at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. Williams sped past a couple of defenders before entering the area and sending a low shot between the legs of Eibar goalkeeper Asier Riesgo. GERMANY SPAIN