Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Match Preview and team news

Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to the North West this Saturday and Arne Slot will be hoping for improvement from last time out at Anfield.

Nottingham Forest caused an upset last weekend, as a curling effort from Callum Hudson-Odoi condemned the Reds to a rare home defeat and their first dropped points of the season. It was also the first time Liverpool had conceded a goal this campaign.

Bournemouth also have some wrongs to right after falling to a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, as a late Christopher Nkunku goal dampened the mood on the South Coast.

First-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker is a doubt for Liverpool with a muscle injury and Harvey Elliott remains unavailable with a broken foot.

For the Cherries, loan signing Kepa Arrizabalaga is again available for selection after being ineligible last weekend against his parent club Chelsea.

Form

Liverpool: WWWLW

Liverpool quickly put their surprising loss to Nottingham Forest behind them by comfortably beating Italian giants AC Milan at the San Siro.

It was a shaky start for the six-time Champions League winners, as former Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic waltzed past the Liverpool defence to open the scoring after just three minutes.

The Reds’ response was emphatic and they had completely turned the match on its head by half-time, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk rising highest from corners to power home.

Dominik Szoboszlai also notched his first of the season in the second half to give Slot’s men some breathing space and they saw the rest of the match out to take three points back to England.

Before their shock result against Forest, Liverpool had an impeccable record, winning all three Premier League games without conceding.

Bournemouth: DDLWL

Andoni Iraola will feel hard done by so far, with Bournemouth’s results arguably not reflecting their performances.

Evanilson’s missed penalty against Chelsea came back to haunt the Cherries, as second-half substitute Nkunku poked home the decisive goal for the visitors.

It’s already been a season of ups and downs for Bournemouth, with the jubilation of a record-breaking comeback win at Everton marred by the controversial overturning of a penalty decision against Newcastle and that late Nkunku goal in defeat to Chelsea.

If there is one thing that Bournemouth has proved, it is that they are tough customers and Liverpool will have to be on form.

Last Meeting: Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool, Premier League, 21st January 2024

Braces from Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez earned Jurgen Klopp’s side a conclusive three points at the Vitality Stadium back in January.

After an even first period, the second half belonged to only one team. Nunez commenced the rout with a precise finish into the bottom corner of Neto’s net.

That opened the floodgates and soon after Jota’s venomous strike doubled the scoreline as it rippled the net at the near post. The Portuguese international then secured the three points as he ruthlessly drilled in a rebound to put the game beyond doubt.

The dominant display was capped off by the man who started the scoring, as Nunez cleverly tapped in their fourth with the aid of the post.

At the time, Liverpool was in the midst of a title fight and victory moved the Reds five points clear at the top.

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Nunez.

Bournemouth: Kepa; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Billing, Cook, Semenyo, Scott, Tavernier; Unal.

Who is the referee?

Tony Harrington.

What TV channel is Liverpool vs Bournemouth on?

Liverpool vs Bournemouth is not available to watch live in the United Kingdom.

What time is kick off?

Kick-off at Anfield is at 15:00 BST on Saturday 21st September 2024

Odds

Liverpool – 1/4

Draw – 11/2

Bournemouth – 9/1

Read – Slot names ‘biggest difference’ in the Premier League

See more – 5️⃣ spicy fixtures you must watch this weekend 🌶

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