Liverpool enters a busy month of December with an away tie against Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. The Reds have six games over the festive period, culminating with the big game against Manchester City on New Year’s Eve. But for now, all eyes are on the Vitality Stadium. The Reds are in a dormant kind of form right now having manifested in a 15-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. Their only loss this season was a shocking 2-0 loss at Turf Moor against Burnley but since then, they never had to look back.
Liverpool is the team every side will look to avoid now but it’s inevitable. Bournemouth, in no ways, seems like a contest for the quality the Reds possess but as a Premier League follower, I would suggest the Liverpool fans not to be over-confident. Almost very team have played extremely defensive against Liverpool thus far and we can hardly blame them for that. However, very few could contain the attacking threat of the Reds throughout the 90 minutes.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has created a reputation for himself as one of the best young managers in European football right now and as far as we know Howe, the Cherries are unlikely to ‘park the bus’ against Liverpool. Rather, they will try to give a really good go and counter Liverpool with their very own attacking game.
Team news
Bournemouth
Bournemouth looks set to be without Andrew Surman due to a hamstring problem. Artur Boruc and Charlie Daniels will be assessed ahead of the match. Junior Stanislas is expected to clear fit in time for the game. Jack Wilshere is available after missing out against Arsenal last week as he was ineligible to play against his parent club.
Liverpool
Adam Lallana is likely to return for Liverpool, having not featured since November 6 due to a groin injury sustained while on international duty with England. He and Roberto Firmino both trained this week and both are likely to start. Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho are certainly missing through injuries.
Predicted lineups
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Federici; Francis, Cook, Ake, B. Smith; Gosling, Arter; A. Smith, Wilshere, Stanislas; Wilson
Liverpool (4-3-3): Karius; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Mane, Origi, Firmino
Key Players
Bournemouth- Steve Cook
Bournemouth are a free-flowing attacking side but this is a gem where their defence will be stretched badly. Cook is a pretty experienced defender but his usual centre-back partner Francis is likely to start at right-back while usual right-back Adam Smith is likely to start on the right wing. The whole setup will be to give Bournemouth a solid defensive cover. Cook has to be at his very best to stop Liverpool from running a route.
Liverpool: Divock Origi
Origi was not being much called upon by Klopp apart from the League Cup games this season so far but last week, he played a pivotal role in handing Liverpool the win against Sunderland. He came off the bench to replace injured Coutinho and when Liverpool were looking clueless to break down Sunderland defence, he scored an absolute beauty out of nowhere. In the midweek also, the story was more or less similar. The Belgian international will be the key player for Liverpool on Sunday.
Odds
Bournemouth win @4/1
Draw @3/1
Liverpool win 4/5
