Howe: We didn’t deserve anything
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has slammed his side’s performance after they continued their poor home form with a fifth defeat in eight at The Vitality Stadium.
First-half goals from Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge meant Jurgen Klopp’s men left the south coast with all three points, and Howe believes a poor first half performance cost his side dear.
“It was a difficult first half for us,” the Bournemouth boss told afcb.co.uk
“We did not play well at all in that period and as the home team, we did not get near their goal enough. We gifted them possession and the game got away from us.”
Liverpool dealt the hosts with a huge double blow just before half-time, Firmino and Sturridge scoring within five minutes of each other to give the visitors a two-nil lead going into the break.
Eddie Howe’s men did improve after the interval but could only muster the one consolation goal through in-from striker Josh King late on.
“In the last 30 minutes we grew into the game and ended well with the goal. The subs made a real impact and if we had got the goal earlier, we could have maybe have made more of a contest of it,” Howe said.
“But I would not say we deserved anything, we conceded two soft goals.” the 34-year-old added.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has hit out at the media’s suggestion that Daniel Sturridge deserves all the plaudits – and labelled them as ‘living on different planets’.
The former Borussia Dortmund manager was more than keen to emphasise the importance of his team’s performance rather than that of individuals.
Klopp said: “This is a game – there are 11 players in different positions and you come to ask about one player. Each player had influence. It’s a team game,”
“I enjoyed the game of Daniel Sturridge, but starting with a question like this – I can’t understand.” He added.
The England striker has been in fine form since his return from injury – and is making more than a strong case for his inclusion in England’s Euro 2016 squad.