Well, that’s how you make an impact. After leading a stirring fight-back, how far can Fraser go?
Liverpool legend Ray Houghton has told talkSPORT that Bournemouth hero Ryan Fraser proved himself to manager Eddie Howe during The Cherries 4-3 comeback win against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
It took a twisted ankle for Junior Stanlislas, previously Bournemouth’s most dangerous attacking player, for the diminutive Scottish midfielder to get his opportunity at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, coming on just after half-time with the hosts 2-0 down for only his sixth Premier League appearance of the season.
However, Fraser proved to be the spearhead for the most unlikely of victories, winning a penalty seconds after coming on after a clumsy challenge from James Milner, smashing home Bournemouth’s second from the edge of the box and providing the cross for Steve Cook’s leveller.
In the end, Nathan Ake delivered the final blow by tapping in on the goal-line after a fumble from Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, but Fraser was more than deserving of the Man of the Match award for a superb impact performance.
And Houghton has gone as far as to describe the 22-year-old as an ‘inspiration’ in one of the most exciting games of the season, and says he must now establish himself as a player worthy of the Premier League.
“[Fraser] brought an energy, a desire, a determination and a belief that [Bournemouth] could take the game to Liverpool and he came up trumps on three occasions,” the two-time league title winning midfielder told The Full Time Phone In on talkSPORT, broadcast at 3.30PM on 4th December.
“The penalty he won, the cross for the third goal; he was an inspiration when he came on
“He showed the Bournemouth public and the manager what he can do. This is his platform, his opportunity to prove himself. He went out there and delivered, great finish, got the penalty.
“It was just how direct he was. He wasn’t passing sidewards or square, he went at the opposition and he got the rewards for it.
“And Eddie will be asking ‘can you do it for 90 minutes’ and, if he gives him the chance, it’s up to him to take it.”
Post-game, Howe refused to take the credit for the injury-forced substitution but, after spending the last couple of seasons out on loan, Fraser appears to have finally arrived in the top flight.
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