Liverpool crashed to a narrow defeat at home against Nottingham Forest in the last league game, and they will be desperate to bounce back strongly.
Liverpool will take on Bournemouth at Anfield this weekend, and the fans will expect a strong reaction. The Reds are coming into this game on the back of a morale-boosting victory over AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League, and they will look to build on that performance here.
The Reds will be the favourites heading into the contest, but they cannot afford to underestimate the Cherries, who have made a reasonably good start to the season. Bournemouth are 11th in the league table with just one defeat from four league games. The vistors were beaten by Chelsea in their last league outing, and they will look to bounce back here.
Andoni Iraola’s men will have seen Nottingham Forest grind out a positive result against Liverpool last weekend, and they will certainly fancy their chances of pulling off an upset here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Harvey Elliott is ruled out for Liverpool against Bournemouth, and Alisson Becker remains a major doubt after picking up an injury in training. The Reds are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will start in the central defensive pairing alongside club captain Virgil van Dijk.
As for the midfield unit, Alexis Mac Allister will add creativity and control to the side alongside Ryan Gravenberch, who will help out defensively and control the tempo of the game. Dominik Szoboszlai will look to create goalscoring opportunities with his passing and vision. Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will add pace and flair from the wide areas, with Diogo Jota leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Jota
Bournemouth
The Cherries will be without the services of Tyler Adams because of a back injury. Bournemouth will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Liverpool, with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal. Adam Smith and Milos Kerkez will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep nullify the wide threat from Liverpool and hit the Reds on the break. Illia Zabarnyi will start alongside Dean Huijsen at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Christie will start alongside Lewis Cook. The two players will look to break down the opposition attacks and protect the backline. Justin Kluivert will start in the attacking midfield role, and he will look to create chances for his teammates with his technical ability and vision.
Marcus Tavernier and Luis Sinisterra will start in the wide areas, and they will look to add pace and flair to the side. Antoine Semenyo will lead the line for Bournemouth against Liverpool on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Tavernier, Kluivert, Sinisterra; Semenyo
Key Stats
- Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in 13 of their last 14 matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- Liverpool have won 10 of their last 11 matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- Liverpool have been winning at both half time and full time in their last five home matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- 24 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two sides.
- Liverpool have scored 20 goals in their last six matches against Bournemouth.
Player to Watch
Ryan Gravenberch
The Dutch international midfielder has been exceptional for Liverpool this season, and he produced another remarkable display against AC Milan away from home in the UEFA Champions League.
Gravenberch has been Liverpool’s best midfielder this season, and the Reds will need him to step up and deliver once again if they want to control the game against Bournemouth. The Dutchman will help the side defensively and control the tempo of the game. He is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
Liverpool are undoubtedly the better team here, and they will be the favourites to pick up all three points against Bournemouth. The home fans will expect a strong performance here, and the Reds will have to grind out a victory if they are serious about competing for major titles. They cannot afford to drop points in these games.
Meanwhile, the Cherries have been difficult to beat in the Premier League this season, and they will look to make life difficult for the home team. A close contest is likely but Liverpool should be able to edge out a narrow victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Arne Slot and his charges
