After thrashing the Championship side Leeds United in the EFL cup tie, the red half of Merseyside – Liverpool – are now preparing for their trip to the Dean Court to face Edie Howe’s men, Bournemouth. The German tactician named a rather soft squad in the domestic encounter a few days back and is now expected to step in to the field with full throttle.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, are fresh from that last weekend’s defeat at the hands of Arsenal and will be hoping to bounce back in the top half of the table. The task is surely a tough one for the Cherries, but the absence of Philippe Coutinho might give them a confidence boost.
Coutinho might miss the game, but the manager has been handed a huge boost regarding the fitness of Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana. Both the attackers were nursing their respective injuries and Lallana, especially, was expected to miss the game, but has surprisingly returned to the training and the manager has confirmed that the former Southampton man might play a part.
Looking at their recent form, Liverpool are the clear winner as they have won five of their last six games, while the Cherries have won just two and have lost thrice.
Here is the predicted line-up that Klopp might field against the Cherries:
Goalkeeper: Loris Karius-
Mignolet did start the game against the Peacocks last time out, but Karius, who is less error prone than his Belgian counterpart, is expected to start the game . The German has managed two successive clean sheets for the first in the League and will be hoping to add more to it.
Defence: Clyne; Lovren; Matip; Milner-
The former Southampton man Nathaniel Clyne is one of the most trusted bishops of Jurgen Klopp and in the game where a win is must, he will be starting the game without the slightest of a doubt.
The centre-back pairing will be Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip. Both the defenders like passing from the back and Bournemouth needs to stop them if they are to disrupt Liverpool’s passing rhythm.
Then on the left, the most versatile player in the squad will be deployed. James Milner has been a revelation this season, as he has adapted his new role quite easily.
Midfield Trio: Henderson; Wijnaldum; Can-
Captain Jordan Henderson will be performing his duties from the deep area and will be distributing the ball accordingly.
Emre Can will be continuing his new and improved attacking duties against the Cherries and will be hoping to add more goals to his tally. The former Leverkusen man has been one of the most impressive players in the team and his inclusion has provided a completely different dimension to the squad.
On the right-hand side of the three men midfield, the new arrival – Gini Wijnaldum – will be plying his trade and will be hoping to leave a mark at the Dean Court. He has been very quiet this season, but his participation hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Attacking Trio: Lallana; Firmino; Mane-
With Philippe Coutinho set to miss the fixture, an overhaul in the attacking line is expected, and in that case, the manager could line Adam Lallana on the right wing and could shift Sadio Mane on the left.
This could actually work for the side as Mane will have the ball right on his strong foot and Lallana will be looking to play a hybrid role of playmaker & winger in the wings. Bournemouth’s game will be a perfect venue for Jurgen Klopp to try this kind of an experiment.
With that being done, Firmino will be working on his usual spot and we can expect a goal or two from the Brazilian, as he is one who will be expected to shoulder all the goal scoring responsibilities in the absence of Coutinho.
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