MIDFIELDER Andrew Surman admits Cherries must stay in games for longer periods if they are to enjoy success against the Premier League big guns.

Goals in quick succession from Liverpool's Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge rocked Cherries shortly before the break at Vitality Stadium yesterday.

Eddie Howe's side were left with a mountain to climb against the Europa League semi-finalists and matters could have got worse had Sturridge not twice hit the woodwork in the second half.

Tireless frontman Joshua King pulled one back in stoppage-time before centre-half Steve Cook headed onto the roof of the net in the dying embers, with referee Mike Jones sounding the final whistle moments later.

Former Norwich star Surman felt the the clash had swung on the minutes leading up to the interval and admitted events had followed a familiar recent pattern.

Cherries went 2-0 down inside 16 minutes at Tottenham at the end of last month and were 3-0 down inside 19 minutes against Manchester City, with Surman stating his team had in recent times not tested title-chasing sides as well as they might.

He told the Daily Echo: "We probably didn't play as well as we have done and didn't give ourselves the best chance. There were not enough players at it.

"Having said that, we were still level after 40 minutes and if we could have got to half-time at 0-0, I think it could have been a completely different second half.

"Unfortunately, as was the case in three recent games against top sides, we were out of the game at half-time.

"When you are chasing games against teams like Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs, it's very difficult to get back into it and you leave yourself open to conceding more goals.

"They are good sides, counter-attacking teams who will hurt you, so it's always tough.

"Of course we're disappointed. We don't feel we gave ourselves the best chance and subsequently we lost the game."

Victory handed Liverpool their third straight success in all competitions and allowed the Merseysiders to rise to eighth in the standings, just five points behind fifth-placed Manchester United.

Asked for his views on the secret to staying with top sides on the pitch, Surman added: "It's hard to put your finger on it.

"I didn't really feel Liverpool looked like scoring in the first half. They had a lot of the ball and they have good players but I felt we were in the game until they scored their first goal, even though we weren't playing at our best.

"The second goal killed us. At 1-0, we were still in the game but conceding a second so quickly afterwards put the game a little bit beyond reach.

"Credit to the lads because we still had a go and created enough chances to get back into it but, unfortunately, the damage was done in the first half."