Bournemouth 1 Liverpool 2 analysis: Daniel Sturridge the star man but Lucas fails to impress in defence

Roberto Firmino and Sturridge scored the goals for the Liverpool

Daniel Sturridge celebrates his goal for Liverpool (Getty)

STAR MAN

Daniel Sturridge. The striker will be disappointed not to have bagged a hat-trick, but, even without doing so, his finishing and invention demonstrated he is a goalscorer of the highest calibre. If he can play like this until the season's end, he looks like a serious contender to start for England at Euro 2016.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

After Joe Allen's through-ball, Sturridge, with time and space in the penalty area, sent a classy, delicate chip beyond Artur Boruc. The ball eventually struck the post, but the technique and composure was masterful, and showed all of the natural talent that makes him so valuable when fit.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Liverpool's Lucas was woeful in central defence. There was a time, under Kenny Dalglish, when he established himself as an excellent defensive midfielder, but he did not once look comfortable. For a team that has so many options in defence - albeit underwhelming ones - surely there's a better option than watching the Brazilian being bullied by Joshua King?

VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT

Eddie Howe will know that, despite his team having an exceptional season to move to the brink of Premier League safety, they risk spoiling it somewhat if they continue to play like this until the end of the campaign. The Cherries look under-motivated, which reflects poorly on him, for all of his talent. Jurgen Klopp gambled on selecting a weakened starting XI and it paid off, but only because Bournemouth were so poor. Lately, he can do little wrong.

WHO'S UP NEXT?

Liverpool v Everton, Barclays Premier League (Wednesday, April 20)

Bournemouth v Chelsea, Barclays Premier League (Saturday, April 23)

PA