‘It’s unexpected’: BBC pundit surprised at what Liverpool did near the end of today’s game

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BBC Sport pundit Leon Osman has expressed his surprise at seeing Liverpool finish a game as nervously as they did in Saturday’s Premier League win at Anfield.

The Reds hosted Bournemouth in the day’s early kickoff and despite being 22 points clear at the top of the table before the action got under way, they had lost their last two games.

Last week, Liverpool were shocked by Watford, who picked Jurgen Klopp’s side apart en route to a 3-0 win, before the Reds were then knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea.

Even before the loss at Vicarage Road, Liverpool were given a tough game by West Ham, eventually claiming a 3-2 win, and had lost at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last-16 first leg.

Things then began badly for Liverpool against Bournemouth as Callum Wilson netted a ninth-minute opener, which should really have been disallowed for his push on Joe Gomez in the build-up.

However, the Reds eventually rallied round through Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane’s first-half goals, establishing a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish.

The latter stages of the game were particularly nervy as Liverpool held on for the narrow victory, which saw them edge 25 points clear of Manchester City and nine points away from the title.

“You wouldn’t have expected Liverpool to be keeping the ball in the corner close to the end of a game against Bournemouth and the crowd encouraging it,” Osman told BBC Sport (14:33).

“You can see the tension. It’s unexpected from Liverpool but until they have got their hands on that Premier League trophy I think they will continue in this manner.”

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Liverpool have been sensational for most of the season, but even the strongest teams will have off days amid loss of form, fatigue, or simply things not going their way.

Two defeats in a row, and three in their last four prior to the Bournemouth game, saw some alarm bells ring amongst fans, while many rivals were all too eager to get stuck in.

A championship-winning team isn’t going to blitz through every opponent, and there are times when wins and draws are ground out.

While it may not be the prettiest type of football, it’s just got to be done at times – besides, the outcome is the desired one, in that Liverpool have picked up another three points.