Wataru Endo might make his Liverpool debut when they take on Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool were held to a draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last week, but they will be favourites to pick up all three points when they take on Bournemouth on Saturday. The Reds have an excellent record against the Cherries, winning five of their last six meetings and the fans will be hoping for a comfortable victory here.
The home side will be without the services of Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic and Curtis Jones. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Bajcetic is really close to returning. But the talented young midfielder is not quite ready for action just yet.
Thiago is in a similar situation and he will need time to regain his match fitness after recovering from his injury blow. Whether the two players can return to action before the international break remains to be seen.
Klopp said, “Stefan Bajcetic, really close but not there yet. Obviously we really count on him. Thiago Alcantara the same – slightly similar profile, obviously much more experienced as well, but not there yet. So, we need to just give them time. We cannot rush that. That all will look completely different after the international break but until then we have super-important games.”
Liverpool vs Bournemouth Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
On the other hand, Curtis Jones is set to miss the clash against Bournemouth as well. The 22-year-old twisted his ankle in training this week, but he is expected to return soon. Meanwhile, summer signing Wataru Endo could be in line to make his Anfield debut.
But Liverpool are currently waiting to discover whether the Japanese international will be granted a work permit in time to feature against the Cherries. The Reds will likely shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson Becker in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will be deployed as the full-backs. And the duo will look to help out defensively and create goalscoring opportunities. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
In the midfield, summer signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are set to start. Endo could be the defensive midfielder against Bournemouth if he manages to get a work permit in time. Cody Gakpo is expected to lead the line for Liverpool with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz on either side of him.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
