Liverpool will host Bournemouth at home this weekend in the Premier League. The Reds will enter the fixture after a successful midweek where they not only won the quarterfinal tie against Manchester City but also beat them at the Etihad to hand them their third defeat in as many games.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, have drawn their last two games and will want to upset the Reds to reach the 40-point mark that more or less guarantees them survival. Eddie Howe’s side have been pretty sturdy in their last six games which has seen them lose just once — to Tottenham — and collect seven points.
The last time these two sides faced each other, Liverpool ran out comfortable 4-0 winners, However, Bournemouth have given the Reds good competition in the last few games. The two sides’ last meeting at Anfield ended 2-2 while the game before that will be etched in Premier League history as one of the greatest comebacks ever.
3-1 down, Bournemouth managed to make it 3-3 and win it late to shock Jurgen Klopp’s side at the Vitality stadium.
Team News
Liverpool have quite a few injuries to deal with but so good has the first team’s performance levels been that they haven’t missed the likes of Adam Lallana and Emre Can. Klopp would have loved to have them both but he’ll have to make do with what he’s got.
At the back, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip will be missed but Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno are back and should start tomorrow.
For the away side, Tyrone Mings will miss out because of a back injury. Junior Stanislas is out for the rest of the season while former Liverpool star Jordon Ibe could return to the bench if not the starting XI.
Predicted lineups
As said before, Moreno and Clyne are likely to start for the side. Jordan Henderson was suspended for the clash against City and is expected to replace Gini Wijnaldum as the deepest midfielder. Sadio Mane might be given a breather and Firmino could be played on the left. Danny Ings might start up front.
Eddie Howe is expected to more or less stick with to the same lineup that managed a draw against Crystal Palace. Joshua King might be given the preference over Marc Pugh on the left.
Probable Liverpool XI: Karius; Moreno, Klavan, van Dijk, Clyne; Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Firmino, Ings, Salah
Probable Bournemouth XI: Begovic; Daniels, Ake, Cook, Francis; Cook, Gosling, King, Fraser; Defoe, Wilson
Odds
Liverpool: 1/4
Draw: 5/1
Bournemouth: 10/1