Liverpool host Bournemouth within the Premier League on Saturday, with the Cherries on the lookout for their first-ever win at Anfield because the Reds look to get again on observe at residence.
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth
Premier League (5) | Anfield
September 21, 2024 | 3pm (BST)
Arne Slot‘s facet bounced again on Tuesday night, successful 3-1 away to AC Milan, suggesting that the Nottingham Forest defeat was a mere blip.
Liverpool have been wretched at residence to the Midlands facet final weekend, although, and a repeat have to be averted in opposition to Bournemouth.
Right here’s all it’s essential to know forward of the sport.
1. Alisson in critical doubt
Alisson is a serious damage doubt for Saturday’s match, with a hamstring situation threatening to maintain him sidelined. He failed to coach on Friday to go away Caoimhin Kelleher on standby.
Harvey Elliott is Liverpool’s solely different high-profile absentee, with the 21-year-old out till mid-October with a fractured foot.
Jayden Danns continues to nurse a again downside, too.
2. Will Slot shuffle his pack?
Slot solely made two adjustments in midweek, with Andy Robertson and Luis Diaz rested, however the pair have each likelihood of returning on Saturday.
That will doubtless be on the expense of Kostas Tsimikas and Cody Gakpo, though resting both Mohamed Salah or Diogo Jota isn’t out of the query.
There may be additionally an opportunity that Curtis Jones may break up Slot’s first-choice midfield, ought to the boss really feel that one in every of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister or Dominik Szoboszlai want a breather.
Kelleher will deputise for Alisson if he’s out.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Jota
3. Nunez will “get his likelihood”
Darwin Nunez is but to start out a sport this season, suggesting that Slot doesn’t worth him as a lot as Jurgen Klopp did.
Talking earlier than the sport, nonetheless, Liverpool’s head coach insisted that the Uruguayan would get alternatives to show his value quickly.
“He’ll get his likelihood within the close to future, we play a number of video games and I feel he’s fitter and fitter now, understands day-to-day higher what we anticipate from him,” stated Slot.
Would you give Nunez a go in opposition to Bournemouth?
4. Bournemouth strong beneath Iraola
The Cherries impressed final season, ending twelfth within the Premier League and infrequently trying threatened by relegation.
Andoni Iraola has continued to shine as supervisor this time period, too, not permitting the exit of Dominic Solanke to have an effect on his facet.
Bournemouth are eleventh after the opening 4 matches, with their solely defeat coming late at residence to Chelsea final weekend.
Cherries fan Tom Jordan has advised This Is Anfield that Iraola is more likely to undertake a “excessive and aggressive press,” which might be very completely different to Forest’s low block.
5. How the guests may lineup
Bournemouth have had the luxurious of getting all week to arrange for Saturday’s match.
Meaning Iraola may title the identical crew that began in opposition to Chelsea, which would come with Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo and summer time signing Evanilson making up a harmful attacking unit.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is eligible once more after lacking the Chelsea defeat, so he’ll battle Mark Travers for a beginning berth.
Tyler Adams and Dango Ouattara are out injured.
Predicted Bournemouth XI: Travers; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Prepare dinner, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson
6. Addressing Anfield ambiance issues
Talking to the media on Friday, Slot addressed Anfield’s hushed ambiance of late, giving a particularly reasonable evaluation:
“The one factor I can ask the followers is that if we don’t present up sufficient, perhaps they might help us and say, ‘okay, it seems prefer it’s not their day, let’s assist them by singing, cheering’, or no matter they’ll provide you with.
“However I like to have a look at ourselves, we now have to do higher, and if we do higher, I feel the followers will get pleasure from what they see, after which they are going to be behind the crew.
“It begins with us doing higher tomorrow [vs. Bournemouth], but when we don’t, which I’m not anticipating or hoping for, perhaps the followers may give us an additional push by exhibiting what it wants for us to win the sport.”
7. Bournemouth eyeing historical past at Anfield
Bournemouth are but to win at Anfield of their historical past, albeit having solely performed there 10 occasions general.
Final season, they threatened to stun Liverpool after taking an early lead, just for objectives from Diaz, Salah and Jota to earn the hosts a 3-1 victory.
There was additionally a 9-0 win for the Reds in 2022/23, which is the joint-biggest victory in Premier League historical past.
Information are there to be damaged, nonetheless, so Liverpool can not take their opponents with no consideration. As soon as this season is already sufficient.
8. Do you know?
Salah’s document in opposition to many groups is enviable and Bournemouth have to be sick of the sight of him.
The 32-year-old has scored 9 objectives in as many Premier League appearances in opposition to the Cherries, and he will probably be hungry this weekend after not scoring at residence to Forest or in Milan.
You actually wouldn’t again in opposition to him making it an ideal 10 on Saturday.
9. Harrington takes cost
Tony Harrington has been confirmed because the referee for Saturday’s sport, in what is barely his third Liverpool outing in his profession.
Each earlier matches have been within the Carabao Cup, in opposition to Lincoln in 2020/21 and Derby in 2022/23, with the Reds prevailing each occasions – 7-2 within the former and on penalties within the latter.
Marc Perry and Derek Eaton are Harrington’s assistants and Bobby Madley is fourth official – Graham Scott is within the VAR sales space, supported by Sian Massey-Ellis.
10. Observe the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth is a 3pm (BST) Saturday kickoff, which suggests it’s a part of the blackout and never accessible to look at reside within the UK.
TIA’s reside weblog is the perfect place to remain up-to-date with what’s taking place at Anfield, with Harry McMullen conserving you firm from 2.15pm.
Come on you Reds!
