Afrigather Verdict: Liverpool win to nil
Greatest odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Betfair
Again on Merseyside following a robust begin to their Champions League marketing campaign, Liverpool welcome Bournemouth for a Premier League conflict on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds secured one other comeback win, defeating AC Milan 3-1 at San Siro on Tuesday, whereas the Cherries have spent the week reflecting on their painful 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Liverpool
Earlier than Liverpool’s current conflict with historic rivals Milan, Arne Slot downplayed his birthday celebrations on the San Siro, however the newly-appointed Reds supervisor had cause to rejoice after his staff’s spectacular comeback.
Six-time European champions Liverpool discovered themselves trailing after a Christian Pulisic opener, however headers from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate turned the sport round within the first half, with Dominik Szoboszlai sealing the win by including a 3rd objective, making Slot’s birthday even sweeter.
Whereas not as dramatic because the well-known 2005 Istanbul last, defeating Milan on their dwelling turf was simply the best response to final weekend’s disappointment. The Reds struggled to interrupt by way of Nottingham Forest’s protection and finally fell to a shocking Callum Hudson-Odoi strike, marking Slot’s first aggressive defeat.
Regardless of that setback, Liverpool stay in fourth place within the Premier League, only one level behind Arsenal and Newcastle United, and two behind unbeaten Manchester Metropolis. Additionally they share the league’s finest defensive document with Arsenal.
Having conceded just one objective and confronted simply 28 pictures—10 of which had been on course—Liverpool lead the division in these metrics.
Staff Information
Liverpool’s new signing Federico Chiesa was not prepared for motion towards Manchester United or Nottingham Forest, however the Italian lastly made his Reds debut as a late substitute on the San Siro. He’s now in competition for his first begin.
With Chiesa reaching match health, the one confirmed absentee for Liverpool on Saturday is Harvey Elliott, who stays sidelined with a foot fracture. Nonetheless, Alisson Becker is a contemporary doubt because of a hamstring concern, that means Caoimhin Kelleher could step in as goalkeeper.
Kostas Tsimikas made a shock begin towards Milan, however Andrew Robertson is anticipated to reclaim the left-back spot this weekend. Moreover, Luis Diaz is more likely to change Cody Gakpo, regardless of the Dutchman taking part in a superb recreation and offering an help for Szoboszlai on Tuesday.
Bournemouth
In a efficiency harking back to their extra illustrious opponents, Bournemouth had been unlucky to not take all three factors towards a subpar Chelsea facet on the Vitality Stadium final week. Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez practically handed the Cherries the win after conceding a penalty however redeemed himself by saving the ensuing spot-kick.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca finally needed to depend on his costly bench choices, as substitutes Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku linked up for a late winner, ending Bournemouth’s unbeaten begin to the 2024/25 season.
Had Andoni Iraola’s facet held on in these last moments, they’d have secured a four-game unbeaten begin to a Premier League season for the primary time of their historical past. Nonetheless, with a difficult journey to Liverpool on the horizon, they need to rapidly put that disappointment behind them.
Regardless of claiming only one win this season – a outstanding comeback victory over Everton – Bournemouth might be part of elite firm in the event that they safe a win at Anfield, changing into solely the third Premier League staff, after 2012 Arsenal and 2021 Manchester Metropolis, to win consecutive away video games towards each Merseyside golf equipment.
That mentioned, final season’s conferences with Liverpool had been removed from sort to the Cherries. The Reds overturned an early deficit to win 3-1 at Anfield and adopted that up with 2-1 and 4-0 victories on the South Coast within the EFL Cup and Premier League, respectively.
Staff Information
Iraola might be relieved to welcome on-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga again into the squad after the Spaniard was ineligible to face his father or mother membership final weekend, regardless that Mark Travers carried out admirably in his absence.
Tyler Adams (again) is confirmed to overlook out, whereas Dango Ouattara (ankle) stays a doubt.
Evanilson endured one other irritating outing final weekend, lacking a penalty earlier than being substituted within the 68th minute. He now faces intense competitors for his spot, with Enes Unal returning to full health.
Conclusion
Other than Hudson-Odoi’s beautiful objective final weekend, defensive solidity has been an indicator of Liverpool’s play underneath Arne Slot within the Premier League. After seeing the perfect response on the San Siro, Slot will doubtless information his staff to a extra becoming dwelling efficiency on Saturday.
Bournemouth have managed to maintain all of their video games aggressive thus far this season, and whereas they will not be utterly overwhelmed by their hosts, it’s laborious to check a state of affairs the place the Cherries depart Anfield with something to indicate for his or her efforts.
Verdict: Liverpool win to nil
Greatest odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Betfair
