Liverpool manager Arne Slot pointed to a draining schedule as the primary reason for his team’s late collapse at the Vitality Stadium, where a stoppage-time goal handed them a dramatic defeat.
After falling behind by two goals, the visitors staged a stirring comeback, equalizing through a spectacular set-piece from Dominik Szoboszlai. However, Bournemouth reclaimed the initiative deep into added time, with Amine Adli pouncing on a long throw to secure a 3-2 victory, ending Liverpool’s lengthy unbeaten run.
In his post-match comments, Slot did not dispute the outcome, instead highlighting the physical toll on his squad. He noted that several key players appeared exhausted in the final stages, a consequence he attributed directly to a congested fixture list. The manager emphasized that his team was uniquely burdened, having played a Champions League away match just days before this Premier League encounter, leaving little time for recovery.
While expressing frustration with the officiating—specifically questioning the amount of stoppage time awarded given numerous delays—Slot conceded that the decisive moment came too late for any potential response. He refrained from singling out individual defensive errors for the early goals and sidestepped questions regarding the future of certain players amid transfer speculation.
The Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola, praised his team’s tactical adaptability, suggesting a more measured approach had been key to conserving energy and capitalizing on opportunities against a fatigued opponent.