Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has pointed to windy conditions as the reason behind Bournemouth’s opening goal against the Reds in Saturday’s Premier League clash.
It was a difficult outing for Arne Slot’s side, as Evanilson broke the deadlock in the first half after Van Dijk struggled to handle a bouncing ball, before Alex Jimenez added a second just seven minutes later.
Liverpool responded before the break, with Van Dijk heading home just before half-time, and Dominik Szoboszlai later curling a clever free-kick around the Bournemouth wall in the 80th minute to restore parity. Amine Adli then struck the decisive goal in an entertaining five-goal contest.
Speaking after the match, the Netherlands international told Sky Sports that the conditions played a major role in the defensive lapse.
“The first goal was a difficult one to judge during the circumstances, the wind was very tricky.
“I think you saw it when we played long balls on that side it was very difficult to judge. So to concede that wasn’t an issue but it’s not good.
“To concede two goals in a short period is not good at all. The goal I scored before half-time was really important for momentum in the second-half back and I think we showed that.
“We worked so hard to get back into the game, we had a free-kick and some great opportunities as well but in the end, that throw in cost us.”