Emre Can and Sadio Mane were both on target at the Vitality, but not even that could help Liverpool to victory.
Jermaine Jenas has lauded the performances of Liverpool duo Emre Can and Sadio Mane on BBC’s Match of the Day 2 despite The Reds’ eventual 3-4 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side looked set to be cruising towards three points at the Vitality Stadium after Can lofted a clever ball over the top of the host’s defence for Mane to race beyond Nathan Ake and clip home the opener, a lead doubled by Divock Origi just a few minutes later.
And, after Callum Wilson had pulled one back for Bournemouth, the German international appeared to have put the fixture to bed once more with a classy curling strike from the edge of the box, Mane returning the favour by rolling the ball neatly into his path.
And, despite the nature of Liverpool’s capitulation, conceding three times in the final 14 minutes as The Cherries wildly celebrated a famous victory, Jenas has taken the time to praise the performances of two of the visitor’s goalscorers.
“Emre Can and Mane were the stand out players,” Jenas told Match of the Day 2, broadcast at 10.20PM on 4th December.
“Mane was constantly stretching that back four, making them run towards their own goal. Can gets his head up, he knows Mane is going to be making that run and it’s a lovely little finish [for the first goal].
“I thought Emre Can actually had a good game, tracking back for his team as well. It was a very well-rounded display. Controlled, organised, he seemed to slot in very well and he took his goal brilliantly.”
Nonetheless, with Loris Karius spilling Steve Cook’s last gasp strike to Nathan Ake, and Dejan Lovren and co flailing once again defensively, the performances of Can and Mane are unlikely to dominate any headlines.
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