LIVERPOOL BOSS BLAMES FATIGUE FOR BOURNEMOUTH DEFEAT

Amine Adli of Bournemouth scored with almost the final kick of the match to give the Cherries a 3-2 victory on Saturday, and Liverpool manager Arne Slot blamed weariness for his team's first loss in 14 games. After the English champions had suffered nine losses in twelve games earlier in the season, Slot had stabilised the ship in recent months.

However, the Reds' chances of qualifying for the Champions League the following season have been severely damaged since they have now lost their past five Premier League games. Liverpool's 3-0 victory in Marseille on Wednesday was a huge stride towards the Champions League round of 16, in contrast to their home problems.

However, Slot attributed his team's lack of momentum to the fast turnaround and his limited alternatives as a result of multiple injuries. With ten minutes remaining, the visitors had rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie the score due to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk.

But even before Adli's goal in the 95th minute, Bournemouth had lost two significant opportunities to win the game in the last moments. "They probably had even more chances than us (in the final 10 minutes), which shouldn't come as a complete surprise to me, knowing that we've played two days before in Marseille."

"For the last four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 games we've had to play with the same players (due to) the players we had available and then sometimes a few of them could be at the end of the game a bit tired."I believe you were able to witness that at the conclusion of today as well.

Slot's choices at centre defence were further reduced when Joe Gomez was pulled off due to injury, leaving Liverpool with just ten players when Bournemouth scored their second goal. With Giovanni Leoni sidelined for the season due to a cruciate knee ligament injury and Ibrahima Konate on compassionate leave following the death of his father, midfielder Wataru Endo had to fill in at the centre of the defence.

Despite rumours that the Scotland captain may sign with Tottenham before the transfer window closed, Slot brought on Andy Robertson before halftime. After sliding behind Milos Kerkez in the Anfield hierarchy, Robertson, who has just six months remaining on his contract, is allegedly eager for more first-team play. However, Slot maintained that he currently needs as many bodies as possible.

"I need all my players," Slot continued. "I always knew another 90 minutes for Milos against a very intense Bournemouth side was not a possibility, so Robbo had to enter at halftime." The last thing we need right now is another injury, so I also have to manage the players' availability and the several games we have to play."