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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Virgil van Dijk fumes at persistent problem as Jurgen Klopp left bemused in Liverpool defeat

After the highs against Manchester United last weekend, Liverpool came crashing back down to earth at Bournemouth.

Philip Billing's goal was enough to win it as the Cherries condemned the Reds to their eighth defeat of the Premier League campaign and gave Jurgen Klopp a major setback in his aims of finishing in the top four.

But you knew all of that, of course. What you might have missed were a series of subplots at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

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Van Dijk fumes

Not the first time this season, Virgil van Dijk was left to direct his ire at the officials for the delaying of their offside flag.

It's a staple of officiating in the Premier League these days but that certainly hasn't made it any more palatable for the Liverpool defender, who was furious at one particular incident in the first half.

After chasing back to deny Dango Ouattara from getting a shot on target, the raising of the offside flag left Van Dijk incensed after around 21 minutes.

The Netherlands captain turned to the referee's assistant and made his feeling abundantly clear as Bournemouth's dangerous-looking opportunity came to nothing thanks to a combination of Van Dijk's last-ditch defending and then the decision to raise the flag.

Klopp left bemused

There was a curious incident in the first half involving Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and referee John Brooks at around 35 minutes at the Vitality.

With Robertson keen to place the ball down in the best spot possible after a free kick had been awarded, the official made sure the Liverpool defender was forced to move the ball back slightly before the delivery was sent in.

Robertson again tried to place the ball back into the area he wanted to take the free kick from before Brooks was over at the scene once more ensuring the cross would be taken from exactly where he wanted it to, via the help of the spray.

Bournemouth fans were clearly delighted that Robertson failed to get his way, letting out a huge cheer as the left-back was made to send in the free kick from behind the spray's line.

Much to his bemusement, Klopp was left to simply shake his head on the sidelines at the absurdity of it all. But as it turned out, the delivery should have created another assist for Robertson, on his 29th birthday, as Van Dijk glanced a glorious chance to score wide. That left Klopp shaking his head further.

Billing floored

There was a humorous incident in the first half when match-winner Philip Billing was inadvertently floored by referee Brooks as he attempted to close down the Liverpool midfield.

The goalscorer on the day was sent sprawling when he accidentally ran into Brooks in the first half, much to the amusement of the away end, even if it would be Billing and Bournemouth who would enjoy the last laugh.

If only Brooks had been on the scene in the Liverpool penalty area when Billing arrived to score the only goal of the game...

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