Bournemouth will host Liverpool at Dean Court on Super Sunday in the Premier League on matchday 14. The Reds’ rampant form so far this season makes them a team everybody will want to avoid but Bournemouth have that inevitable task on their hands now.
Jürgen Klopp’s side are unbeaten in 15 games since their shock loss to Burnley at Turf Moor and look like credible title contenders this season. Most sides have deployed an ultra-defensive setup against Liverpool this season but Bournemouth are unlikely to do so, rather, they are likely to give Liverpool a taste of their own medicine i.e. an attacking brand of football.
Here are three key battles those could decide the outcome when Liverpool take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Jordan Henderson vs Jack Wilshere
The two English international midfielders know each other very closely from their time in the English national setup and have an experience of playing alongside each other for the Three Lions.
Henderson has been instrumental in Liverpool’s success of late. He is the one who keeps the Reds ticking from the deepest position of the midfield trio with his exceptional passing ability and talent to initiate attacks the moment after winning the ball.
Wilshere has been pretty decent in the number ten role for Bournemouth this season and is doing well to resurrect his career but will be up against his mate on Sunday and we have to wait and see who comes out as the winner.
Divock Origi vs Steve Cook
Liverpool fans saw their best player Philippe Coutinho leaving the pitch on a stretcher last week after hurting his ankle badly against Sunderland and then came Divock Origi. Just when Liverpool were looking clueless about how to break down Sunderland’s ‘double-decker bus’ and the fans started getting frustrated, the young Belgian struck a fantastic goal from out of nowhere and he did almost the very same thing against Leeds United in the midweek.
Steve Cook will have a tough job to keep the 21-year-old silent. He will miss his natural defensive partner Simon Francis alongside him who is likely to play at right-back and the job will be really hard for him.
Origi has pace, power and a strong determination to do something when his team needs him and Cook has to ensure that the youngster is kept under the lid.
Nathaniel Clyne vs Junior Stanislas
Bournemouth’s biggest threat is often posed by their left winger Junior Stanislas who is in good form this season. With 3 goals and 3 assists to his name from 8 games, the Englishman will test Liverpool’s defensive resilience.
Clyne is one of the best right-backs in the Premier League but in the system Liverpool play now, his going forward is more important than ever. However, Clyne needs to ensure that Stanislas cannot exploit his flank and needs to track back more often than he has been doing against other defensive sides. The battle between Stanislas and Clyne could very well decide the game.
