Liverpool vs Bournemouth: Team News, Predicted line-ups, History and more
Liverpool will look for home comforts as they aim to return to winning ways following a run of two successive defeats. The Reds have struggled since the end of the winter break and only recently lost their first league game in 45 attempts.
Jurgen Klopp must put the past behind and solely focus on gathering the 12 points needed to guarantee the title as quickly as possible.
Bournemouth has failed to score in the last five games against the Reds, losing all of them with a collective score of 17-0. The Reds’ defence has been porous of late and should get their act together if they want to shut out the Cherries for the sixth time in a row.
Mohamad Salah has an excellent record against Bournemouth and has scored seven matches in the five games against them. he will be keen to get back to scoring ways following two miserable outings against Watford and Chelsea.
The Cherries are right in the middle of a relegation fight and will not make it easy for the Reds. With Atletico Madrid up next, Liverpool will do well to consider this as an audition for the Champions League clash.
Team News
Liverpool
Captain Jordan Henderson remains sidelined. Naby Keita is in doubt while Nathaniel Clyne and Xherdan Shaqiri are certain to miss out.
Georginio Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be restored to the starting line-up alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also due tor a return after being rested for the visit to Chelsea.
Bournemouth
Eddie Howe will be without Arnaut Danjuma, David Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Chris Mepham, and Lloyd Kelly, who are all injured. Talented winger Harry Wilson will have to watch from the sidelines as he is ineligible to face his parent club.
Bournemouth were unfortunate to drop points against Chelsea last week. They will need Nathan Ake and Aaron Ramsdale to be on top form once again against a Liverpool side looking for redemption.
The likes of Callum Wilson and Joshua King can cause the Reds’ defence problems with their physicality and direct running.
Probable Line-ups
Liverpool
Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane
Bournemouth
Aaron Ramsdale Jack Stacey, Steve Cook, Nathan Ake, Adam Smith, Philip Billing, Jefferson Lerma, Lewis Cook, Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson, Joshua King.
Last Five meetings
07 Dec 2019: Bournemouth 0-3 Liverpool (Premier League) – Scorers [ Ox, Salah, Keita]
09 Feb 2019: Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)- Scorers [ Mane, Salah, Wijnaldum]
08 Dec 2018: Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool (Premier League)- Scorers [ Cook Own Goal, Salah x 3]
14 Apr 2018: Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)- Scorers [ Mane, Salah, Firmino]
17 Dec 2017: Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool (Premier League)- Scorers [ Coutinho, Salah, Firmino, Lovren]
Players to Watch
Fabinho
Once considered undroppable, the Brazilian has looked a shadow of his former self. He has lacked the dominant presence in midfield and has let the game pass him by quite easily.
Jordan Henderson did a brilliant job covering for the Brazilian when he was out injured. It is now time for Fabinho to return the favour to the Liverpool skipper. The 26-year-old needs to grab the match by the throat and take charge of the midfield.
With Atletico Madrid up in midweek, Klopp will look to his midfield general to show him exactly what he is capable of
More Liverpool News
- Jurgen Klopp reserves praise for Neco Williams and Curtis Jones
- Gary Lineker tips Jordan Henderson for the Player of the Year award
- Jurgen Klopp accuses Liverpool stars of not passing to Takumi Minamino
Philip Billing
It is likely that the winner between the Fabinho-Billing tussle will give his side the advantage in this tie. The Dane was imperious in the clash against Chelsea and created a number of chances for himself and his teammates.
A combative midfielder, Billing won’t hesitate to get tuck in or make a challenge. The midfield has been Liverpool’s weak underbelly of late and Billing should relish the chance to bring further misery onto the Reds.
He excels in retaining possession and recycling the ball and taking him out of the game should ensure that the Reds dominate the middle of the park.
