Premier League heavyweight Liverpool were caught by late sucker punches in a game that finished far more dramatically than they began on Sunday.
Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool wasted a chance to return to second place in the table, a point behind Chelsea, twice surrendering a two-goal lead before losing 4-3 in added time in a thriller at Bournemouth.
Third-placed Liverpool’s defeat was its first in any competition since August and looked highly improbable when it built on a slow start to cruise into a 2-0 lead midway through the first half.
Sadio Mane and Divock Origi, starting his first league game of the season, scored for the visitors from successive attacks.
Although Bournemouth had strong claims for a penalty turned down as Roberto Firmino challenged Nathan Ake, it did not threaten until the introduction of Scotland Under-21 international Ryan Fraser 10 minutes after halftime.
Emre Can restored Liverpool’s two-goal cushion but it was stunned when, in the space of three minutes, Fraser drove in Wilson’s centrer and then defender Steve Cook brought down Fraser’s cross like a striker before driving home the equalizer.
In the third minute of added time Bournemouth secured one of the best wins in its history — and first against Liverpool — as goalkeeper Loris Karius fumbled a shot from long range and Ake poked the ball in.
It was a special day
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said it was “a very special day” for his 10th-place team.
“It would have been easy for our players to give up and see out time but our group knows not to give up,” he added.
Klopp said his side gave the points away although he was surprisingly sanguine about the outcome.
“Of course this can help us,” the Liverpool manager explained. “If we learn, then it’s OK.
“No road is without rocks and stones. It’s three points, no more, these things happen. The base is pretty good but we need to use our quality more.”