Liverpool will look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they take on Bournemouth this weekend.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six league games, and they will look to continue their impressive run of form when they lock horns with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth crashed to a defeat against Tottenham in their last league game. But they have picked up five wins from their last six matches across all competitions. The Cherries are a formidable unit right now, and they are full of confidence and momentum.
The home team will look to grind out a morale-boosting result against Liverpool, who cannot afford to underestimate their opposition. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Bournemouth
The home team have a number of injury problems heading into this game. Tyler Adams, Lloyd Kelly, Hamed Traore, Ryan Fredericks, and Darren Randolph are all injured. Meanwhile, Antoine Semenyo and Dango Ouattara are away on international duty at to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Bournemouth are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Neto in goal. Adam Smith and Milos Kerkez will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out during counter-attacks and protect the central defenders. Chris Mepham will start alongside Illia Zabarnyi at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Lewis Cook will start alongside Ryan Christie in the double pivot. The two players will look to help out defensively and protect the central defenders. Philip Billing will start as the central attacking midfielder, and he will look to add drive and creativity to the side.
Marcus Tavernier and Justin Kluivert will start in the wide areas and they will look to add pace and trickery to the side. Finally, Dominic Solanke will lead the line for Bournemouth against his former club, Liverpool.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neto; Smith, Mepham, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Tavernier, Billing, Kluivert; Solanke
Liverpool
The away side have a number of injury problems as well. Joel Matip has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are expected to return to action next month.
Andrew Robertson is still recovering from his shoulder surgery. Trent Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to be risked here after he picked up a knee injury in recent weeks. Kostas Tsimikas also misses out. Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai will return to action next week.
Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo are away on international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations and the AFC Asian Cup, respectively. Meanwhile, Liverpool will continue in their usual 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson Becker in goal.
Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil fan Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence.
Alexis Mac Allister will anchor the midfield here, and he will look to control the tempo of the game. Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones will start alongside him, and they will add creativity and control to the side. Finally, Darwin Nunez will lead the line for Liverpool against Bournemouth, with Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, van Dijk, Gomez; Elliott, Mac Allister, Jones; Diaz, Nunez, Jota
Key Stats
- Liverpool have been winning at both half-time and full-time in nine of their last ten matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- Liverpool have won nine of their last ten matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- 23 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two teams.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in the last six matches across all competitions.
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in five of the last six matches across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Diogo Jota
The 27-year-old has been in impressive form since returning from his injury. The Portuguese international has contributed to three goals and three assists in his last eight outings for the Reds.
Liverpool will need his ability to create goalscoring opportunities and find the back of the net in the absence of Mohamed Salah. The likes of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez are quality players, but their both scoring efficiency has been below par. So, the onus will be on Jota to deliver the goods.
Prediction
Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool
Both teams are in impressive form, and this is likely to be a cracking contest. Neither side will want to sit deep and defend here, and this could be an open game with a fair few chances. Liverpool are lacking in the full-back areas, and they will be vulnerable during counter-attacks.
Bournemouth are likely to trouble them defensively, but the away side have the quality to emerge victorious eventually. A narrow win for Liverpool is on the cards. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Jurgen Klopp and his charges.