Liverpool have a tricky game against Bournemouth away from home on Saturday and the Reds will hope to win and put the pressure on Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp’s side had to do it the hard away against Burnley on Wednesday as they scored thrice in the second half to come from behind and pick up their 12th win of the season that kept them just two points behind Manchester City.
Eddie Howe’s side have impressed this season and are in the top half of the table, so Liverpool will not have it all their way come Saturday.
Liverpool team news
The Reds suffered a huge blow against Burnley as Joe Gomez was at the receiving end of a bad tackle and has been ruled out for six weeks with a fracture.
In Gomez’s absence, we could see Joel Matip given the nod once again as Dejan Lovren is a doubt as well.
Klopp did rest his front-three before calling on Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in the second half and the duo should return against the Cherries.
Sadio Mane will, however, remain absent from the game as he recovers from a foot injury.
Predicted Liverpool lineup
Defence
Matip and Virgil van Dijk will start together and they will have to deal with an in-form Callum Wilson who will play up top for Bournemouth.
Andy Robertson missed the game against Burnley, but is expected to return. Klopp’s plan to give Trent Alexander-Arnold didn’t work out well on Wednesday as he came on to replace Gomez in the right-back role. The young full-back should start on Saturday.
Alisson was once again brilliant against Burnley and he played a key role in the third goal. The Brazilian will start in between the posts.
Midfield
It will be interesting to see how Klopp rotates his midfield considering Liverpool have a big game against Napoli coming up next midweek.
Jordan Henderson is back and he could start alongside Fabinho in midfield. Henderson tends to do better in a box to box role, so Fabinho could play as the defensive midfielder.
Attack
Naby Keita could feature on the left and replace Mane and his ability to keep the ball and thread a pass against Burnley was incredible. Xherdan Shaqiri has done well on the right and could keep his place there, meaning Mohamed Salah will start up top.
Firmino came off the bench to score the second Liverpool goal on Wednesday and might play behind Salah.
Salah
Keita – Firmino-Shaqiri
Henderson – Fabinho
Robertson – Van Dijk – Matip – TA
Alisson
