Sky Sports' sports analysts review Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures: Bournemouth expose Liverpool's recurring defensive weaknesses; Newcastle struggle with attacking fire without Aleksandr Isak; Aston Villa face disciplinary issues; Richarlison shines for Tottenham
Ekitieck impresses but any concerns about Liverpool's defence?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
Highlights from Liverpool vs Bournemouth Premier League match
Jamie Carragher has criticised Liverpool's “incredible” and “absolutely shocking” defending during their 4-2 win over Bournemouth, claiming the club cannot retain the Premier League title if they continue to play like that.
Liverpool won an emotional encounter at Anfield thanks to goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah in the closing minutes, but the Cherries gave Liverpool a serious scare when Antoine Semenyo scored two quickfire goals to level the scores after goals from Ugo Ekitike and Kody Gakpo before and after the break.
- Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth – Match Report and Highlights
- How it was | Teams | Match statistics
Both of Semenyo's goals caught Liverpool off guard in transition, and Bournemouth's second saw the young striker run almost the length of the pitch before slotting into the bottom corner.
Carragher also criticised Ibrahima Konate, believing he had played poorly in defence for both goals.
“It's unbelievable,” Carragher told Friday Night Football. “It's fantastic from Semenyo, but Liverpool have had similar problems.”
How many players had the ball – maybe eight – when they were 2-1 up? It shouldn't be. At that level, it's shocking.
“The fact that Semenyo ran so far and scored is incredible, but where is Konate going? He played terribly as a centre-back today.”
Semenyo a reason for Bournemouth optimism
Arne Slot was right after the match. “It was great to watch,” he said. “That's what the fans want to see.”
This game had everything a Premier League first leg should have. Spectacular, high tension, comebacks and send-offs. Goals of finesse as well as those scored in a rough and tumble manner. It had it all.
And so the fact that it was marred by a senseless act of alleged racist abuse from a deranged fan at Anfield is particularly disappointing. However, Semenyo's reaction to the madness is worth noting.
Pictured: Antoine Semenyo scored both of Bournemouth's goals in the 4-2 win at Anfield.
He outscored Milos Kerkez and then Andy Robertson by scoring two of his three shots on target for an expected goals ratio of just 0.89. His performance was a triumph of talent and determination and demonstrates why he has attracted so much attention this summer.
The fact that Bournemouth have signed him on a new five-year contract is a huge achievement and a signal of optimism for the future.
Laura Hunter
Newcastle aware of the scale of the task to replace Isak
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
Sourse: skysports.com
