Bournemouth and Liverpool met earlier in the season in the League Cup with Liverpool running away with a 2-1 win, will the Kops do it again at the Vitality Stadium? (Photo credit: 90Mins)
Bournemouth vs. LiverpoolThe Vitality Stadium5:30pm
| Bournemouth and Liverpool met earlier in the season in the League Cup with Liverpool running away with a 2-1 win, will the Kops do it again at the Vitality Stadium? (Photo credit: 90Mins) |
The Vitality Stadium will play host to Liverpool, and in-form Bournemouth must fancy their chances as they will be hosting the Kops without Mohammed Salah.
Liverpool is also in red-hot form; four straight wins in all competitions, including a 2-0 win at the Emirates in the FA Cup against Arsenal, put Jurgen Klopp’s side in a good position as the league season hits the pivotal home stretch.
Bournemouth was preparing to fire manager Andoni Iraola before the Spanish gaffer guided his team completely out of the relegation conversation, and as things stand, a top-ten push is a huge possibility for the Cherries.
Bournemouth has won four of their last five games in all competitions, a run that includes a sensational 3-0 win away at Manchester United and a 3rd round FA Cup success away at Loftus Road. Liverpool would know it wouldn’t be business as usual against the Cherries.
Speaking of Liverpool, they saw Arsenal move to third, just two points off the top, where the Kops currently sit with a routine walk-in-the-park win over Crystal Palace on Saturday. A good win over Bournemouth will extend their lead at the top.
How will they line up? Dominic Solanke will face a late fitness test after picking up a knock in training, and Kiefer Moore could play a part with Antoine Semenyo away with Ghana at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. The same is true for Dango Ouattara, while Marcos Senesi serves a ban for receiving five yellows.
Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander Arnold until next game, at least with a knee problem, while Dominik Szoboszlai is out with a hip injury, but Ibrahim Konate is available to partner club captain Virgil Van Dijk in defence.
This game is a huge test of Liverpool’s attacking powers without their Egyptian king. Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez must all come to the party to find the goals to steer Liverpool forward. Harvey Elliot and Cody Gakpo are the other options if the trio runs out of ideas.
It’s more like a free hit to Bournemouth; it won’t make the headlines if Liverpool beats them, but the Kops must avoid being in the news for the wrong reasons with a possible upset on the cards. Bournemouth has it in them to spring surprises with their expansive football; it will be fun on Sunday.
Verdict: Liverpool to win
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