Liverpool will aim to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League on Sunday when they face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Three points on the south coast would put the Reds five clear of defending champions Manchester City, albeit having played a game more. They are on a four-game winning run across all competitions, which include league wins over Burnley and Newcastle United.
Jurgen Klopp’s side advanced to the FA Cup fourth round by beating Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium earlier this month while taking a 2-1 advantage over Fulham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals last week. So, they are a team in high confidence and will be favourites on paper for this fixture.
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool have lost Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo to the AFCON and Asian Cup respectively. Trent Alexander-Arnold will also miss the game against Bournemouth with a knee injury, while Stefan Bajcetic, Kostas Tsimikas, Andy Robertson, Ben Doak and Thiago Alcantara are still sidelined.
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai has sat out two games with a hamstring injury and it appears that he is still yet to take part in full training.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Bournemouth (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Jurgen Klopp will stick to his usual 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson Becker a certainty in goal. The Brazilian will aim to keep a clean sheet at the Vitality Stadium.
Defence
Conor Bradley deputised extremely well in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold against Fulham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final last week. The youngster is set to retain his spot at right-back in the Liverpool lineup. Joe Gomez, meanwhile, should continue operating from the left-back position.
Virgil van Dijk will pair up with Ibrahima Konate in central defence. The back four will look to keep things tight at the back and give their team a solid base to push from.
Midfield
Alexis Mac Allister will reprise his No.6 role in the Liverpool lineup, shielding the back four and building up attacks from deep. The Argentinean will start alongside Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the park for the visitors.
The troika will look to ensure they take control of the game as quickly as possible and create opportunities for the forwards in the final third.
Attack
Harvey Elliot, who started the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham at Anfield, could make way for Luis Diaz on the right flank in the Liverpool lineup. Klopp could give Cody Gakpo the nod over Darwin Nunez to start on the left wing.
With his pace, pressing and movement, Diogo Jota could make life difficult for the Bournemouth defenders. He could lead the line for the Reds at the Vitality Stadium, with Nunez and Elliot hoping to make an impact off the bench.
