The Reds face the frightening test of form-side Bournemouth away
BOURNEMOUTH VS. LIVERPOOL
| Saturday, February 1st |
Premier League | Vitality Stadium
3PM GMT/10AM EST
Bournemouth are the team in the league challenging any injury narratives. While Andoni Iraola’s side have no new injuries to report and Luis Sinisterra may be in contention for a return pending a late fitness test, the Cherries nonetheless might host Liverpool missing nine — 9 — first team players. That said, they seem to be on the other side of the crisis, and Adam Smith and Alex Scott might return. This has been the case for some time, and yet they’re on an 11-game unbeaten run (Liverpool are on an 18-match one).
Bournemouth’s recent run was not against mugs: they dispatched Arne Slot’s nemesis, Nottingham Forest, last weekend, scoring five unanswered goals. They also beat Newcastle (1-4), Tottenham (1-0), and Manchester United (0-3). Prior to losing to Brighton with 10 men and Brentford in November, they also beat Manchester City (2-1) and 10-man Arsenal (2-0). They’re frankly frightening, though will be a much different challenge than Nottingham Forest, who look to defend well and frustrate.
During their 11-match unbeaten run they won seven and drew four, no team has accrued more points during this period. Over the course of the season, the Cherries have picked up 15 points in their nine games against teams above them in the table. Their main man in the midst of this crisis has been Justin Kluivert, who has been involved in 12 goals in his 12 games this season (he had previously tallied 11 goal involvements in 42 prior to this period). Dango Ouattara is also a creative player to watch.
Iraola’s side have only conceded seven goals at home this season, even if their xG accumulation on the other end of the pitch is the main focus of attention. Bournemouth are not a defensive team, but will likely look to hit Liverpool on the counter nonetheless.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is in goal for Bournemouth, a notable loan as he seems to be at his best against Liverpool in open play — and there’s history there.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Díaz
Arne Slot will look at a late fitness test on the likes of Diogo Jota, Joe Gomez, and Darwin Núñez, as the latter missed mid-week through illness. Curtis Jones remains sidelined. Barring the choice between Andy Robertson (who was taken off midweek and is thus more likely to start) and Kostas Tsimikas, the XI largely picks itself.
The Reds have the best away record in the Premier League, having gone 14 unbeaten (this stretches back to April last season).
There are Mohamed Salah stats I could add here, but every time I do that in one of these it feels like I jinx him. Perhaps more important is the fact that Liverpool have been spreading the goals around recently, with six goalscorers in the last four games — which saw Liverpool underperform on xG, picking up just eight points against Manchester United, Ipswich, Nottingham Forest. Cody Gakpo has three in the past with both Núñez and Salah on two apiece.
The Reds have been producing more chances lately, though the valuable chances haven’t increased; in other words, we’ve peppered opposition goalkeepers without generating increased big chances. Both Liverpool and Bournemouth have conceded the same number of big chances over the recent period in the league, with The Cherries having conceded one fewer goal from them.
What the Managers Had to Say
Arne Slot: “…you can never set the bar too high because that is impossible. The bar at this club is at the highest standards and this is what you have to get to.”
Andoni Iraola: “Their offensive power is very big. We lost our heads for a few minutes and conceded three goals. It shows that you cannot lose any concentration or focus against Liverpool. They are scoring and creating so many chances, so at the other end of the pitch we have to be very good.”
The Officials
Referee: Darren England Assistants: Akil Howson, Steve Meredith Fourth Official: Steve Martin VAR: John Brooks Assistant VAR: Dan Cook
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