Josh King scores late as Bournemouth snatch draw at Anfield

Liverpool's top four aspirations took a blow as they conceded a late equaliser in an enthralling 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

The Cherries had been gifted a dream start when a calamitous back pass from Georginio Wijnaldum allowed Benik Afobe to nip in before goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and the striker made no mistake by sliding into an empty net.

But Liverpool fought back as Philippe Coutinho drew the scores level before the break to become the joint-highest Brazilian scorer in the Premier League. Wijnaldum went from zero to hero after the restart as the former Newcastle man picked out Divock Origi with an inch perfect cross to leave his team mate with a simple headed finish as the hosts edged in front.

Liverpool had chances to further increase their lead but were made to pay for their defensive fragilities when Josh King was allowed to turn inside the area and tuck away his 12th goal of the season with only three minutes to play.

Ragnar Klavan spurned a decent opportunity in injury time and it was frustration all around for Liverpool as they slip five points behind second-placed Tottenham who overcame Swansea while fifth-placed Arsenal beat West Ham to move within six points of Jurgen Klopp's side with two games in hand.

Will Liverpool make the top four? The Reds' run-in looks kind on paper but with such a poor defence, and considering they have lost six times to teams in the bottom half of the table already, it’s very difficult to predict if they’ll secure enough points to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Goals may not have been a problem this evening but the loss of Sadio Mane, who may miss the rest of the season, is also particularly worrying.

Josh King (Bournemouth) – Liverpool’s frail defence couldn’t handle his strength and power and the Norwegian’s persistence deservedly paid off in the end.

Liverpool: Mignolet 5, Clyne 5, Lovren 5, Klavan 5, Milner 5, Lucas 5, Can 6, Wijnaldum 6, Coutinho 7, Firmino 7, Origi 7. Subs: Matip 5.

Bournemouth: Boruc 6, Smith 6, Francis 7, Cook 7, Daniels 7, Ibe 5, Arter 6, Wilshere 6, Pugh 6, King 8, Afobe 7. Subs: Gradel 6, Fraser 6.

7’ - GOAL! Bournemouth take the lead against the run of play and it's Afobe who makes the breakthrough! What a start for the Cherries! It's a woeful back pass from Wijnaldum to Mignolet which allows Afobe to nip in and score the opener. Terrible defending.

22’ - CHANCE! Liverpool are all over the place defensively and nearly concede their second as a corner delivery isn't dealt with, the loose ball falls to Pugh who sends the ball agonisingly wide with a half-volley. It really should have been two.

33’ - CLOSE! Coutinho bends his free-kick over the wall but can't find the dip he needs to beat Boruc as the ball strikes the roof of the net.

40’ - GOAL! Liverpool equalise and who else but Philippe Coutinho? It stems from a Mignolet kick out, Origi does well to head it on to Firminho who threads the eye of a needle to find his countryman and the Brazilian squeezes the ball beyond Boruc and into the net.

59’ - GOAL - Liverpool are ahead! They've been pushing and pushing for the lead and now they have it. Fantastic feet from Wijnaldum who creates space for a cross and picks out Origi who is left with a simple headed finish.

87’ - GOAL - King scores a dramatic late equaliser for Bournemouth! The Reds fail to deal with a long throw-in as Arter finds the visitors' top goalscorer who wriggles his way past Klaven before burying the ball into the back of the net.

90’+ 2 GOOD SAVE! Wonderful chance for Liverpool but Klavan heads straight at Boruc!

No Brazilian has scored more Premier League goals than Philippe Coutinho (now level with Juninho).