Reds bleed yellow
Liverpool's title challenge suffered an unexpected setback as they squandered a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 at Bournemouth on an astonishing day the south coast club will never forget.
Jurgen Klopp's side missed out on a chance to go second in the Premier League and instead remain four points behind leaders Chelsea after their incredible meltdown in the last 14 minutes at Dean Court.
Bournemouth had never beaten Liverpool in nine previous meetings in all competitions dating back to 1927; in fact you have to rewind to 1968 to even find a draw.
But after excellent goals from Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Emre Can appeared to put Klopp's team in control, Bournemouth produced a stunning, high octane comeback culminating in a stoppage-time winner for Nathan Ake.
It was all inspired by a match-winning performance from 22-year-old substitute Ryan Fraser, who only came on because of an injury to a teammate.
The Scottish winger won a penalty with his first touch, scored Bournemouth's second at 3-1 and set up the equaliser for Steve Cook as the game was turned on its head.
Bournemouth's problems began after 20 minutes when a sumptuous long pass from Can sent Mane racing towards goal.
He easily held of defender Ake before coolly and cleverly drinking a shot past goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
If there was nothing Boruc could do about that one, he was at fault for the next -- which arrived two minutes later.
Again, a long ball up the line found Origi racing into the channel, but strangely Boruc hared out, heading across the field, far too early.
The Belgian was able to side step him and curl a perfect long-range shot into the far corner of the net from a very difficult angle.
The hosts finally scored from the spot after 56 minutes when James Milner clearly brought down Fraser who had only arrived on the pitch seconds earlier.
Striker Callum Wilson scored confidently to add spice to the game.
Liverpool responded well, going 3-1 ahead after 64 minutes when Mane cut the ball back for Can to score.
Fraser had one effort well saved before finishing an excellent breakaway move with a drilled finish from inside the area after 75 minutes.
Suddenly the visitors were rocking -- and when Fraser crossed again, Wilson set the ball back for defender Cook to lash home an equaliser.
Bournemouth completed their incredible comeback when Loris Karius fumbled Cook's long-range shot and Ake pounced from close range.
In the second game of the day, Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had given the visitors the lead in the first half before Leighton Baines fired home from the spot in the 89th minute of a dramatic affair.
Ibrahimovic scored in typically outlandish fashion after picking up the ball from a Paul Pogba pass. Although there was a defender on the Swedish forward's shoulder, Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg made the decision to charge out of his box. That left Ibrahimovic with the simple job of lobbing the ball over the keeper's head, onto the crossbar and finally into the net as Goodison Park held its collective breath.
Visiting manager Jose Mourinho felt that the goal and three points would be a good enough result for his side from what is generally a tough ground to visit and he introduced Maroune Fellaini late into the second half to consolidate.
However, his decision backfired as the Belgian midfielder lunged at Idrissa Gueyein and conceded a penalty in the 89th minute. Baines stepped up and, although David de Gea guessed the right way, he made no mistake.
Manchester United are now sixth with 21 points, 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea, while Everton are one point behind and remain eighth.
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