Liverpool vs Bournemouth Preview
After suffering a defeat on their premier league debut, Bournemouth will now travel to Anfield in their first away game to face Liverpool. On the other hand, Brendan Rodgers will be looking to carry on the momentum with a home win after they defeated stoke at Britannia stadium by one goal to nil in the opening round of matches. The cherries started their campaign in the top flight with a narrow defeat to Aston Villa.
Liverpool had a disastrous last season where they finished sixth, just one year after almost claiming the title. In the first match, Liverpool were far from their best but Rodgers will be happy to see that his team were fighting like a unit and there was much-improved solidness to the backline. Philippe Coutinho seems to have filled the void left by Sterling’s departure, he was constantly pulling the strings in the Liverpool midfield and capped off a great performance with a stunner late on which proved to be the match-winner.
Bournemouth were impressive in their first match but were left to rue the missed chances early on in the game. Aston Villa scored late in the game and taught Bournemouth how important it is to capitalize on each and every chance you get in the premier league. Their rise through the lower leagues has been nothing short of breathtaking. Eddie Howe has done a splendid job in his two spells in charge but will be wondering after the first defeat whether he needs to bring some more new players before the transfer window closes.
Bournemouth will be looking to keep the ball and frustrate the Liverpool players. They know that as long as they keep the score line nil-nil, at some point the crowd will start getting impatient and frustration will creep in. Brendan Rodgers will know that Bournemouth will not arrive as the lambs to the slaughter house and would be foolish to take them as anything but serious. It is one of the days that they will have been dreaming about all summer long.
Roberto Firmino might start his first game in Liverpool shirt this weekend after coming off the bench for brief cameo against Stoke. However Daniel Sturridge and Jon Flanagan still remain sidelined as well as Joe Allen who is facing at least three weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile Bournemouth might give Max Gradel a debut against Liverpool after he joined the newly promoted side last week. They will be without the services of Harry Arter, who has a hip injury and remains sidelined till the next week.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth Predicted Lineup
Predicted Liverpool starting XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Gomez, Milner, Can, Henderson, Coutinho, Firmino and Benteke.
Predicted Bournemouth starting XI: Boruc, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Mings, Ritchie, Gradel, Surman, Gosling, Kermorgant and Wilson
Predicted scoreline: Liverpool versus Bournemouth: 3-1
Liverpool vs Bournemouth Key stats:
Liverpool have never lost to AFC Bournemouth in six previous cup fixtures (W4 D2). This will be their first league meeting.
AFC Bournemouth’s two previous trips to Anfield to face the Reds have ended in a 4-1 defeat (FA Cup third round replays in 1927 and 1968).
No side won more away matches (13) or collected more points away (44) than AFC Bournemouth in the Championship last season.
Christian Benteke has scored 11 goals in his last 12 Barclays Premier League appearances.
Stats Courtesy: Premierleague.com
Liverpool vs Bournemouth Prediction
It should be an easy win for the side from Anfield. 3-0.
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