By Steven Northover

After a confident, eye-catching, display in south of France, Liverpool hit the road again this time to the always tricky Bournemouth.

Liverpool's record is quite imperious against Dorset club, with only two losses (and only one on the league) in the last ten years. Indeed, Bournemouth are currently going through something of a crisis of confidence, sitting in 15th with just one victory in their last five games, the Cherries are at real risk of being cut away from the teams above them, if they don't find the winning formula soon.

Match Preview

Credit: SPORTBible

Victory for Liverpool would lay down a real marker in the race for that converted final Champions League place, with neither Manchester United or Chelsea playing until Sunday. That said, it's on the league where Liverpool have been at their weakest this season, so anything other than a victory - especially after the limp 1-1 draw against Burnley last time out - would only raise questions about Liverpool's ability to remain in the Top Four, but also to the growing calls to call time on Arne Slot's time as Liverpool manager.

Team News

Credit: Chronicle Live

Part of Bournemouth's poor season should be put down to a current injury crisis that sees Justin Kluivert, Taylor Adams, and David Brookes, all being ruled out. Former Liverpool youngster Ben Gannon Soak is also ruled out with a thigh injury that has already kept out since November. All in, Bournemouth currently have nine first team players out.
Meanwhile Liverpool appear to have come out of the hectic, post-Christmas with only a couple of injury concerns. Alexander Isak (broken leg) and Giovanni Leoni (knee injury) are Liverpool's only long term injuries. However the weekend's fixture is unlikely to see Federico Chiesa and Connor Bradley with both definitely out..

Credit: This is Anfield

Elsewhere, Ibrahima Konate will be absent due to family reasons, and Andrew Robertson is unlikely to travel, due to ongoing negotiations between the player, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur for the 31-year-old's transfer.

Match Prediction

As already mentioned, Liverpool have a fine record against Bournemouth, with nineteen wins in 23 games in all competitions. That said, despite a number of striking performances in Europe, there is a perception that the Reds have yet to even get close to the levels expected of them in the league - with particular criticism of the team's game mamangment, often letting the opposition ‘back in' after dominating for much of the match.

Credit: Liverpool.com

Expect a Liverpool to maintain the same 4-2-2-2 formation that work so well against Marseille - especially as it allows Wirtz and Salah to play together, without either player getting in the other's space. However, they play Bournemouth at the perfect time- a side depleted with injuries and seemingly devoid of confidence. The Cherries play similarly style as Liverpool so accept two sides looking to score on the break, through fast owing counter attacks, whilst depriving the opposition of possession.

Predicted XI

Bournemouth: Petrovic, Jiménez, Hill, Sensei, Truffert, Scott, Cook, Amine Adli, Marcus Tavernier, Eli Kroupi, Evanilson

Liverpool: Alisson, Kerkez, Gomez, Van Dijk, Frimpong, Jones, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike.

Pre-Match Verdicts

All things considered, Liverpool should be too much for Bournemouth. But recent performances have highlighted how easily it is for Liverpool to let the opponent back to match where they should have been cruising. Hopefully the confidence is still high from the Stadium Velodrome, and Liverpool can come
home with a comfortable win.

Score Prediction: Bournemouth 1-3 Liverpool