Bournemouth
Neville Questions Liverpool’s Form After Bournemouth Defeat
Neville used Liverpool’s Bournemouth defeat to argue their fragile form has defined the season.
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.
Bournemouth
Slot explains why Hugo Ekitiké started on the bench in Liverpool’s 3–2 loss at Bournemouth
Slot said he benched Hugo Ekitiké to manage minutes; the striker came on in the 59th minute at 3–2.
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.
Bournemouth
Pinto backs Dean Huijsen as a Ballon d’Or prospect amid mixed first months at Real Madrid
Pinto: Dean Huijsen is the only centre back who could one day win the Ballon d’Or. At Real Madrid.He
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.
Bournemouth
Slot accepts Gerrard’s point on low blocks and explains why he comments
Slot accepts Gerrard’s point on low blocks, but insists: “I have to” describe opponents’ tactics…
Arne Slot acknowledged Steven Gerrard’s observation that he speaks frequently about low blocks, but said he feels compelled to explain his view when asked. Gerrard had warned Slot against repeatedly referencing low blocks after the Liverpool manager attributed part of his side’s Champions League win against Marseille to the French team adopting a more adventurous approach.
When told of Gerrard’s comments in an interview with Sky Sports this week, Slot conceded the criticism while defending his candour. “I can only agree with him, that I speak a lot about low blocks—because we face a lot of low blocks!” the Dutch boss admitted. “And if people ask me after the game my opinion about the games I have to describe something,” he added.
Slot noted Gerrard’s own experience dealing with stubborn defensive setups. “He also said he faced them when he played. He was also one of the players who could unlock a low block because of the quality he had.
“A lot is being said about it and maybe I should try to find other words or just simply not talk about it anymore. People know now.”
The statistics underpinning Slot’s complaints were referenced in coverage: Liverpool’s opponents have adopted an average defensive line of 31.8 metres from their own goal, with only Arsenal coming up against lower blocks than Slot’s defending champions, per GeniusIQ (via Sky Sports). By contrast, Bournemouth’s backline starts on average 42.2 metres from their goal this season, reflecting a far more aggressive approach.
Slot suggested Bournemouth’s intensity could mean a different test on the south coast. “Maybe we don’t face it [a low block] anymore because Bournemouth has always been a very intense team to play against and they will be like that,” he said ahead of Saturday’s trip. The Cherries caused Liverpool problems in the first league meeting, pushing the title holders in an unfortunate 4–2 defeat at Anfield. Andoni Iraola’s side have fluctuated in form over the subsequent five months, but remain a feared foe for their venomous approach off the ball.
“Bournemouth is one of the most intense teams in the league,” Slot fretted. “In every running stat they’re either on top or in the top two, three, four. ]
