Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk, has attributed Bournemouth’s opening goal in Saturday’s Premier League clash to tricky wind conditions.
The Dutch centre-back struggled to deal with a bouncing ball that allowed Evanilson to put the Cherries ahead in the first half, before Alex Jimenez doubled their lead seven minutes later.
Liverpool fought back, with Van Dijk himself nodding in a goal just before the break, and Dominik Szoboszlai curling a free kick around the Bournemouth wall in the 80th minute.
Amine Adli sealed a thrilling 3-2 encounter in what proved to be a high-intensity match.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Van Dijk highlighted the impact of the wind on play, “The first goal was difficult to judge given the circumstances, the wind was very tricky. I think you saw it on long balls down that side—it was tough to control. Conceding that wasn’t ideal, but it happened.
“To concede two goals in such quick succession wasn’t good at all. Scoring before half-time was really important for momentum in the second half, and I think we showed that.
“We worked hard to get back into the game, had a free-kick, and created great opportunities, but in the end, that throw-in cost us.”
