Bournemouth 4 Liverpool 3: Nathan Ake is the Cherries’ hero as his late goal secures the points in seven-goal thriller
The on-loan Chelsea man was in the right place at the right time to poke home after a blunder from Liverpool keeper Loris Karius
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NATHAN AKE was the hero for Bournemouth as he poked home a late goal to secure a scintillating 4-3 come-from-behind victory against Liverpool.
The inspired introduction of Ryan Fraser for Bournemouth also helped set the tone for the most remarkable of victories.
First half goals from Sadio Mane and Divock Origi had put Liverpool into a commanding lead, before Callum Wilson gave the Cherries hope netting from the penalty spot after James Milner brought down Fraser.
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Fraser then scored his side's second after collecting a lay-off from fellow substitute Benik Afobe to crash past the despairing dive of Loris Karius.
And the comeback was completed in spectacular fashion from an unlikely source. Bournemouth centre-half Steve Cook superby turned on a sixpence in the box and smashed home for 3-3, assisted by that man Fraser.
But it didn't end there, as in the 93rd minute, Ake benfitted from a Karius spill after Cook had fired in a 25-yarder, and scored what turned out to be the winner.
Facts, stats, goal and lols
- Liverpool duo Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana returned to Bournemouth for the first time since ducking out of England duty to attend a Lap dancing club last month.
- Henderson was decked out in the away strip of luminous green - similar to the skimpy G-strings worn by staff at the For Your Eyes Only Club, so I am told.
- Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva was drafted in at centre half to cover for injuries and as was Bournemouth left back Nathan Ake.
- Divock Origi’s spectacular 23rd minute goal was his third in as many games for The Reds.
- Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead on 11 minutes with a darting run into the box onto a long ball from Emre Can.
- Injury to Junior Stanislas went off injured on 55 mins and sub Ryan Fraser’s first touch was to win a penalty from which Wilson made it 2-1.
- Fraser went on to turn the match scoring with 14 minutes left then crossing for Steve Cook to equalise in a thrilling conclusion.
- Scotsman Fraser had never scored for Bournemouth in the Premier League before and spent last season on loan at Ipswich Town.
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- Liverpool were denied a fourth goal by just millimetres when Cherries keeper Artur Boruc caught James Milner’s viciously inswinging corner right on the line.
- Sadio Mane scored one and played a key part in Liverpool’s next two goals but then came off injured in the second half to add further gloom.
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Big Picture
Next five fixtures
Bournemouth
Burnley, Sat Dec 10, Prem (A)
Leicester, Tues Dec 13, Prem (H)
Southampton, Sun Dec 18, Prem (H)
Chelsea, Mon Dec 26, Prem (A)
Swansea, Sat Dec 31, Prem (A)
Liverpool
West Ham, Sun Dec 11, Prem (H)
Middlesbrough, Weds Dec 14, Prem (A)
Everton, Mon Dec 19, Prem (A)
Stoke, Tues Dec 27 Prem (H)
Man City, Sat Dec 31, Prem (H)
Dream Team Ratings
Bournemouth: Boruc 4; Francis 7, Cook 8, Aké 7, Smith 6, Arter 6, Gosling 6 (Afobe 75, 6), King 6 (Ibe, 45, 6), Wilshere 6, Stanislas 6 (Fraser 55, 8), Wilson 7.
Subs: Pugh, Smith, Federici, Mings.
Booked: Wilshere, Francis.
Goals: Wilson (56, pen), Fraser (76), Cook (78), Ake (92).
Liverpool: Karius 5; Clyne 6, Lucas 6, Lovren 6, Milner 6, Wijnaldum 6, Henderson 7, Can 8, Mané 7 (Lallana, 69, 5), Origi 7, Firmino 6.
Subs: Klavan, Moreno, Mignolet, Ejaria, Woodburn, Alexander-Arnold.
Booked: Henderson, Can.
Goals: Mane (20), Origi (22), Can (64).
What they said
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp: "First of all I have to say a deserved win for Bournemouth. A big fight from them. We gave the game away at a decisive point. We opened the door and they ran through and scored some wonderful goals. So that's the deserved result.
"Even when we are in the lead at 2-0 it's how we try to play football then we were static. We gave the game away because we didn't play football any more.
"If we learn it's OK. At 2-0 or 3-1 the game is not decided but the way we played after we gave it away. We gave Bournemouth the ball. These things happen."
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: "It was a great game, obviously from our perspective because we won. Liverpool were excellent in the first half and we knew their quality. It took our substitutes to make an impact and liven us up. Ryan Fraser deserved that opportunity today.
"It would have been easy for our players to give up and see out time, but our group knows not to give up. We scored at the right time, and the easy thing when you equalise is to sit back and defend that but thankfully the lads kept going.
"In the second half we looked like scoring every time we attacked. For this club and everyone involved it's make for a very special day. These days are huge for us. We'd never been in the Premier League until last season so we're making history for the club."
Nathan Ake: "After half-time we came back strong and pressed them higher. We had more opportunities and did more.
"We had to dig in. The gaffer said 'go out and express yourself,' and I think I did.
"This result gives us confidence. We just need to keep going."
Ryan Fraser: "First half wasn't great, but the second half we did better. This season I wanted to help the team and push on this season."