Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth: Lucky Slot Almost Threw Away 3 Points with ‘Woeful’ Decision

Liverpool fans have criticised one major Arne Slot decision after the Reds salvaged a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth in their Premier League opener. Hugo Ekitike had put the hosts in front on his league debut for the club, just moments after Antoine Semenyo had been subject to racist abuse from the stands.

Ekitike turned provider as Cody Gakpo doubled the lead before Semenyo then silenced Anfield and issued the perfect response to the first-half incident by scoring an incredible double to seemingly snatch a point for the Cherries before Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah scored two late goals. However, one call that Slot made during the game left supporters flabbergasted, with many claiming it is what cost the champions the game.

Fans Slam Slot Substitution

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With Liverpool still leading 2-0 just before the hour mark, Slot opted to make a double change which saw Andy Robertson replace Milos Kerkez and Wataru Endo take the place of Jeremie Frimpong. It was the latter switch that left fans baffled though, as defensive midfielder Endo was forced to play out of position on the right side of defence.

As a result, the Cherries targeted that area, with Endo being out of position as a cross came in from the Bournemouth left for Semenyo to tap home and kickstart a potential comeback. The Japanese star was also nowhere to be seen as the visitors hit on the break on the counter-attack.

The bizarre change was a talking point on social media, with several pointing out that the one decision could have cost Liverpool the three points.

“10 minutes on and still completely lost at the logic behind bringing off Frimpong, let alone for Endo,” said one fan, while another added: “Idiotic taking Frimpong off for Endo.”

“I still need an explanation for Endo at RB,” demanded a third, with a fourth stating: “He needs to put Endo into DM and Szobo into RB ASAP.”

A fifth claimed that Slot was thinking too much about his decisions and that it was proving costly, suggesting: “Has Slot already hit the Pep overthinking stage, why am I watching Endo at right back.”

While that substitution nearly proved costly, it was another that saved the Reds, with Federico Chiesa coming off the bench to replace record signing Florian Wirtz before scoring the goal to make it 3-2.

Prior to finding the net, Jamie Carragher was left baffled by the change on commentary, but was forced to eat his words as the Italian, who struggled in his first season at the club, produced what was the best moment of his Anfield tenure thus far.