Klopp’s soft Reds roused by ‘soft red’
LUIS DIAZ and his bag of tricks helped Liverpool recover from a nightmare start in which a harsh call on his home debut leftworld Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister seeing red.
Jurgen Klopp, whose side showed resolve as they managed to add another goal even when down to 10 men, thought the sending-off was harsh.
“We have to talk about it,” said the Anfield boss. “I understand how it looks but when you see it back, it is the inside foot, no power behind it. It is not ruthless.”
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola agreed, saying: “It was more kind of ‘orange’. It’s difficult. I understand the referee because they were not easy decisions.”
It started badly with Antoine
Semenyo grabbing a deserved opener for the visitors. But the Reds eventually found their mojo thanks to Diaz’s drive and energy.
His bursts down the left rattled Bournemouth and a well-executed volley saw Klopp’s troops level.
Mo Salah, smiling after a sulking exit from the Stamford Bridge pitch last week, followed up a saved spot-kick for his first of the season.
But Klopp’s delight at the turnaround stalled in the second half when referee Thomas Bramall gave Mac Allister that red for his challenge on Ryan Christie.
The ‘injustice’ galvanised the hosts and in the 68th minute it was 3-1 with Neto spilling a stinging drive from Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota finishing the job.a
shambolic opening 10 minutes had seen Klopp’s side a goal down, Alisson booked and fortunate not to have conceded another when, after just 55 seconds, Jaidon Anthony had prodded home but his effort was ruled offside.
Dominic Solanke then robbed Trent Alexander-arnold and, when his effort was blocked, Semenyo’s third-minute follow-up hit home.
Liverpool finally got going and were level in the 28th minute.a swift break saw Jota find Diaz who finished with a perfect volley.
Joe Rothwell’s trip on Szoboszlai gave Salah his penalty chance and he took it – at the second attempt. LIVERPOOL: Alisson 7; Alexander-arnold 6 (Gomez 75, 6), Konate 7, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 7; Szoboszlai 8, Mac Allister 6, Gakpo 6 (Endo 62, 6); Salah 6 (Tsimikas 87), Jota 7
(Elliott 62, 6), Diaz 8 (Nunez 87).
BOURNEMOUTH: Neto 6; Aarons 6, Zabarnyi 6, Senesi 6 (Traore 83), Kerkez 6; Billing 7, Rothwell 6 (Kelly 75, 6), Christie 6 (Moore 62, 6); Semenyo 7 (Brooks 75, 6), Solanke 7, Anthony 7 (Kluivert 62, 6).
MAN OF THE MATCH: LUIS DIAZ – Another fine finish after his goal at Chelsea last week. Tormented the Cherries.
REF: T Bramall.