‘We deserved it’: Gary O’Neil praises Bournemouth’s character after win over Liverpool after they responded to late heartbreak against Arsenal
- Gary O’Neil was delighted after Bournemouth’s win over Liverpool
- Bournemouth reacted after frustration over their late defeat to Arsenal
- O’Neil’s side climbed out of the relegation zone after their 1–0 success
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Gary O’Neil praised Bournemouth’s character after they rekindled their hopes of survival with the perfect response to the devastation they endured at Arsenal.
Bournemouth had not won at home since beating Everton 3–0 on 12 November, but Phillip Billing’s first-half strike was enough to topple Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp had no quarrel with the outcome, as his team consistently came in second place.
It was a huge effort from the home side, who had led 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, but eventually lost 3-2 in the 97th minute. There was no hangover and the nature of this display has led their manager to believe that they can get themselves out of trouble.
“We deserved it,” O’Neil said. “I’m just happy for the guys. The performance was no fluke. The performances in the last three matches were very good against the best opponents. Fine margins can’t always work against you like they used to.
A clean sheet against one of England’s best sides, going into the game with seven goals, showed the effort we put in. As I said to the boys after we won at Wolves, we just have to keep going.’
Gary O’Neil was delighted with the spirit his Bournemouth side showed against Liverpool
Bournemouth were impressive as they recovered from their late defeat to Arsenal
O’Neil, who had previously worked on the Liverpool Academy coaching staff, added: ‘We were a bit lucky with the (Mo Salah) missed penalty. I haven’t seen it back, so I’m not sure if it was or not, but after the things that went against us, we were owed.
“To undergo the late goal at Arsenal, I was asked so many times if it would give the boys a hangover, and there is your answer. We were very down at the time and I reminded them of the work they put into it and they were extremely unlucky that it went against them.
O’Neil was excited to see David Brooks (R) on the couch following his cancer recovery
Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks made his first place on the bench since September 2021 after recovering from cancer. His name was sung everywhere.
O’Neil said, “I was absolutely happy for him. We still have to be realistic with what he can do right now. I was desperate to put it on, but the game didn’t really go that way. He was delighted when he was told yesterday and the boys were delighted too.’
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