Gary Neville diverted attention to Liverpool after their defeat at Bournemouth, using the south-coast result to sum up what he described as a season-long frailty. In commentary following the match, he highlighted defensive lapses and a bewildering spell when Liverpool were effectively down to 10 men.

The former Manchester United defender pointed to Virgil van Dijk as being “slack at the back” while the rest of the side “seemed to be taken over by a collective brain fog” as they continued to play with 10 men for six first-half minutes while Joe Gomez was receiving treatment off the pitch. Bournemouth took advantage and established a 2–0 lead during that period.

Neville made his observations ahead of United’s statement victory over Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, and did not hide his view that the Reds’ troubles have been sustained. “We’ve said before that United have had the opportunity to go into the top four but there’s no doubt the teams around them are struggling at the moment,” he beamed while in discussion with Sky Sports.

“Liverpool last night, what a soft underbelly they’ve developed in the last few months.

“We were so critical of United for dropping points against teams like Burnley and Bournemouth. Now Liverpool have gone and done it and they’re the reigning champions, so they have to pick up their fair share of criticism.

“I think it was a really poor result for them last night. They looked a bit soft and not there. You’ve been able to get at them all season.”

After the Bournemouth game, Slot initially tried to stress accountability. “The only ones to blame are ourselves,” he told assembled media after the latest Liverpool setback extended their winless run to five Premier League games. He also raised concerns about the conditions on the south coast after the defeat.

Neville’s comments reframed a single result as evidence of a deeper run of inconsistent displays, while Liverpool and their manager faced questions both about personnel moments in the match and about form across recent months.

Arne Slot defended his choice to leave Hugo Ekitiké among the substitutes as Liverpool fell 3–2 at Bournemouth, saying the decision was driven by squad management rather than form. The Dutch coach described the call as precautionary after the striker had missed time recently and with a congested schedule approaching.

“As you could see in our line-up, I decided not to play Hugo [Ekitike]. That was not because I didn’t like him or he wasn’t good against Marseille , it was simply because I only have one No.9 available for the upcoming weeks and months,” Slot argued in his post-match presser. “He was out two weeks ago and with so many games to play, you have to manage his minutes.”

Ekitiké did enter the game in the 59th minute, replacing Alexis Mac Allister. At that point Bournemouth led 2–1 after early strikes from Evanilson and David Jiménez. Virgil van Dijk had reduced the deficit with a header just before half-time, and Dominik Szoboszlai later rifled home a free-kick to level at 2–2, giving Liverpool hope of turning the match.

The visitors ultimately conceded in stoppage time when a long throw from James Hill sparked a scramble in the penalty area and Amine Adli found a late winner. Slot voiced the immediate frustration: “Frustrating, of course, because conceding a goal is always frustrating but especially if there’s no time left to come back into the game,” Slot bemoaned. “I think it’s safe to say they could have scored the 3-2 also a little bit earlier and what I mean with that is I think after we scored the 2-2, we were still trying but I think it’s safe to say a few players of ours ran out of energy.

“I cannot even criticise them for that because two days ago we had to play an away game in Europe. We are the only team that played [in the] Champions League that has two days between in this time.”

Liverpool now face three important fixtures over the next fortnight and could drop as low as sixth in the Premier League depending on other results, but Slot made clear his selection was aimed at preserving his lone centre forward for the busiest period ahead.

Tiago Pinto, Bournemouth’s president of football operations, has made a striking claim about Dean Huijsen’s long-term potential at Real Madrid. Pinto told MARCA: “I’ll give you a headline: For me, he’s the only center back who can win the Ballon d’Or. That’s what I think of Dean Huijsen.”

Pinto expanded on the attributes that convince him: “He plays with his right foot, with his left … He’s tall, he scores goals and he has spectacular technique. I insist, for me, of the players I know, he’s the only central defender who can win the Ballon d’Or.” He added a note of perspective on development at a major club: “You can’t expect them to ‘devour’ Real Madrid in six months. They’re a huge club. They have to learn and develop other things.”

Huijsen, 20, arrived in Madrid on a five-year contract and made his debut one month after signing when Real Madrid were competing at the Club World Cup. He began the season positively under Xabi Alonso but experienced a drop in form in October and missed continuity through a run of injuries. He has since accumulated 26 appearances in a white shirt, including his first Clásico and a Madrid derby.

The Spaniard’s fitness issues have been candidly acknowledged by the player. “I’ve had quite a few injuries lately and I finally feel physically fit,” Huijsen told Movistar+ after Real Madrid’s 6–1 rout over Monaco. “I’ve been playing injured for two or three months, unable to sprint properly. I’m happy to feel good because the level I was playing at wasn’t my best.”

Huijsen returned from injury in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona and was judged the worst defender on the pitch. One week later, against Levante, new boss Álvaro Arbeloa substituted him after 60 minutes. More recently he produced a strong display against Monaco, suggesting a regain of form as he continues to adapt to life at Real Madrid and the expectations that come with the move.