More defensive woe for Liverpool

Liverpool 2 Bournemouth 2: Divock Origi provided the proof that Liverpool can prosper in attack without Sadio Mane. The problem for manager Jurgen Klopp is that his team remain so vulnerable defensively.

Just as he did against Everton on Saturday, Origi followed up a Philippe Coutinho goal, to put Liverpool in sight of a win to boost their Champions League qualification chances. But whereas their efforts ensured victory in the derby, it was not enough here. Joshua King’s late equaliser, amid all sorts of wobbling at the back, meant that Klopp’s team have still not won a league match this season without Mane in the side. Given that the Senegal striker may well miss the rest of the season with the knee injury that forced him off at the weekend, that is a major concern for the manager.

Klopp’s team started against Bournemouth with the sort of defensive howler that has become as much a feature of Liverpool’s season as Mane’s goals. The goal they conceded to Everton at the weekend was the result of statuesque defending from a corner. They went behind to Bournemouth as a result of the sort of sloppiness that can cause a manager to tear his hair out.