Liverpool's Unbeaten Run Ends in Dramatic Fashion
Liverpool suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth, bringing their impressive 13-game unbeaten run to an abrupt halt. The match, played on January 24, 2026, saw the Reds battle back from a 2-0 deficit only to concede a last-minute winner, leaving captain Virgil van Dijk to offer an unusual explanation for his role in the opening goal.
Van Dijk's Controversial Mistake and Explanation
While Van Dijk scored a crucial header before half-time to help Liverpool draw level, his misjudgment of a long ball led directly to Bournemouth's first goal. The Dutch defender failed to clear effectively, allowing Alex Scott to set up Evanilson for the opener. Post-match, Van Dijk pointed to challenging weather conditions as the primary cause.
'The first goal was a difficult one to judge during the circumstances, the wind was very tricky,' Van Dijk told Sky Sports. 'I think you saw it when we played long balls on that side it was very difficult to judge. So to concede that wasn't an issue but it's not good.'
The Liverpool captain expressed deep disappointment with the late defeat, emphasising the team's efforts to recover. 'I am very disappointed. Last minute of the game is very tough to take, we worked very hard in the second half to get back in the game and to concede that late is disappointing.'
Support from Teammates and Manager
Bournemouth's Alex Scott, who capitalised on Van Dijk's error, acknowledged the impact of the wind. 'The wind made it more difficult for Virgil to deal with it,' he said. 'I think the conditions were tough out there today... It was tough and definitely played a part of that goal.'
Liverpool manager Arne Slot also defended his captain, refusing to place full blame on Van Dijk. 'I don't think it's completely fair to Virgil to blame him for the first goal. I think you could see throughout the game how much impact the wind had.' However, Slot admitted that fatigue from a congested fixture list contributed to the late collapse.
Broader Implications for Liverpool
This defeat extends Liverpool's winless streak in the Premier League to five matches, following four consecutive draws. The Reds remain in fourth place but face potential relegation in the standings if other teams secure victories in their upcoming fixtures.
Looking ahead, Liverpool must regroup quickly as they prepare for their final Champions League league phase match against Qarabag. The team's resilience will be tested as they aim to bounce back from this setback and refocus on their domestic and European campaigns.
