Liverpool make the trip to the south coast on Saturday as Jurgen Klopp’s high-flying Reds take on relegation-threatened Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The Reds would be high on confidence after a 7-0 drubbing of arch-rivals Manchester United last weekend and a five game unbeaten run in top flight action has come at just the right time for Liverpool who endured a shaky start to 2023 which put their Champions League qualification prospects in danger.
Braces for the three forwards – Salah, Gakpo and Nunez before the outgoing fan favourite Roberto Firmino came off the bench to score the seventh capped off a memorable outing on home turf for Liverpool who can go above fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference with a win in their next game.
An underwhelming campaign domestically has been subject to a much-needed turn around in recent weeks from Jordan Henderson and Co. with four wins and a draw from their last five Premier League games and a good outing against Bournemouth up next could be just what is desired by the Anfield faithful.
The Cherries were handed a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to to the league’s table toppers Arsenal in a five goal thriller in the English capital last time out to remain at the foot of the standings – behind Southampton on goal difference.
Playing in front of the home support has proven indifferent for Gary O’Neil’s side who are winless in their last four games at the Vitality Stadium and Liverpool will be out to pile upon more misery on their upcoming opponents as Klopp’s Reds look to replicate last Sunday’s display before going up against Real Madrid in the Champions League second leg tie next week hoping to overturn a 5-2 deficit.
WHEN AND WHERE
Date: Saturday 11 March 2023
Time: 2 PM GMT
Venue: Selhurst Park
TEAM NEWS
Thiago Alcantara, Luis Diaz and Calvin Ramsay remain on the recovery table for Liverpool while on-loan midfielder Arthur Melo is yet to be included in the matchday squad following his thigh injury.
Injury concerns in the shape of Joe Gomez and Naby Keita have also worried Jurgen Klopp but the Liverpool manager is unlikely to tinker around with the side that secured a thumping win over Man United last time out.
KEY BATTLE
Dominic Solanke vs Darwin Nunez
Former Liverpool man Solanke will be going up against his old club on Saturday on the south coast, hoping to trouble the Virgil van Dijk-led backline which has secured five Premier League clean sheets in a row.
The visitors, meanwhile, have their club record signing Darwin Nunez firing on all cylinders after a difficult start to life on the Merseyside and Klopp would be eager to see the Uruguayan dangerman add to his goal tally for the season.
Nunez scored twice in the United win and proved to be a lethal presence in front of the goal alongside striker partners Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo who have hit top gear as well.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool’s inspired run of form in recent weeks makes them strong favourites to clinch the three points against basement side Bournemouth.
Bournemouth 0-3 Liverpool
