Liverpool return to Anfield as Champions League semi-finalists having beaten Manchester City twice in six days over two legs. Waiting for them in the league is 11th place Bournemouth who have picked up five points over their past three games and sit comfortably in the middle of the table. Kick-off is 12:30 EST tomorrow.
Team News:
The biggest news is the likely fitness of striker Roberto Firmino as he suffered a bit of neck discomfort in training, but manager Jurgen Klopp says he will likely be available for the meeting with the Cherries. Klopp noted in his press conference that with the semi-finals still about two weeks in the distance he will be able to field his strongest available line-up heavily implying Firmino's availability. Additionally, Klopp made special note of the freshness of captain Jordan Henderson pointing to his return to the starting eleven following absence in leg two as a result of suspension.
The Reds will, however, be missing two newly injured men as the full-backs for the Merseyside Derby, Ragnar Klavan and Nathaniel Clyne, were both confirmed to be set to miss out this weekend's match. Klavan felt muscle discomfort while Clyne had a slight injury the day after his return in training. The two missing out points to Alexander-Arnold reprising his role as right-back, however perhaps this could be the week Alberto Moreno returns to the starting line-up. Klavan being out points to Conor Masterson likely getting a spot on the bench and perhaps his first senior appearance for Liverpool if the timing is right. Joel Matip is still ruled out for the year but Adam Lallana and Emre Can still, according to the gaffer, have hope to be back in contention to play before the end of the season. Klopp mentioned Emre specifically saying he felt good but things like this take time.
In terms of Bournemouth, two regular men will be missing out on the clash at Anfield as full-back Adam Smith and winger Junior Stanislas will both be missing out. Stanislas has been ruled out for the year, but manager Eddie Howe remains optimistic that Smith will return before the year's finish. Center-back Tyrone Mings has returned from injury back to training and Jordon Ibe is just a doubt as a result of illness, but it seems unlikely that either of those two men will feature on the weekend.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Lovren, Moreno; Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Projected Bournemouth Line-Up: Begovic; Francis, Cook, Ake, Daniels; Fraser, Cook, Gosling, Pugh, King; Wilson
Previewing the Match:
Liverpool faced a great deal of trouble against Bournemouth last season, most notably a catastrophic loss having been up 3-1 to falter 4-3 by the finish. This season's previous meeting, however, was not of the sort as Liverpool wrapped up a comfortable 4-0 victory in December with goals from Coutinho, Lovren, Salah, and Firmino in a dominating effort. If Bournemouth want to resume their bogey team status they're going to have to find a way to stop an attack that has scoring more than one goal OR won the match in every meeting dating back to a 1968 FA Cup bout (which the Reds won the replay in).
With morale at a soaring high from their European exploits, Liverpool are feeling good about themselves and the news that they will take on A.S. Roma in the semi-finals. But for now focus must be on Bournemouth in the league. Top four for next season is not yet sealed, but with three wins in the next three, Liverpool can lock their destiny before even having to venture into Stamford Bridge to take on fifth place Chelsea in the season's penultimate game. Clinching entrance to Champions League next year as early as possible for Liverpool would go a great deal in alleviating fans' nerves and serving potentially as a further morale booster for the entire team as they head into the later rounds of European competition.
Bournemouth may not have the greatest history against Liverpool, but last season showcased how much of a nuisance they can be. Ryan Fraser and Josh King were two of the key contributors to the annoyance of Liverpool supporters and Fraser's directness in play caused absolute chaos to the Reds in the 4-3 loss. King, an ex-United youth player, also has had a knack for frustrating Reds fans. Now both men were shut down rather well in the season's first tie (FutMob gave the second half sub Fraser just a 5.4 rating and King was at a 5.8 when he went off in the 31st), but if one or both start, expect nerves to be frayed. Also, one cannot forget about Jermain Defoe and his near goal in the first meeting of these two teams. Bournemouth is a team that will attack and has beaten Chelsea away and Arsenal at home, they are not expected to shy away from the bright lights.
Jordan Henderson's return to play will help a midfield that has been immaculate as of late. With Virgil van Dijk organizing the defense, this has also helped allow the midfield gain a greater foothold in just about every game they've been involved in (and vice versa in that the midfield's solid play has greater ease in the Liverpool defense). Henderson serves his captain duties well in the holding midfield role well, but he has been supported by great efforts from iron man James Milner and the key to the midfield attack in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Both quarterfinal victories were whole team efforts, and that is going to have to continue both in the league and in Europe.
Final Thoughts:
It is tough to pass judgment along for this game when Bournemouth has shown to be so hot and cold. They have beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a route, yet gone down at home in a route to Liverpool. They are a dangerous mid-table club who have provided exciting ties with Liverpool in recent memory, but this one Liverpool fans will hope to be memorable for the same reason as the previous encounter: a big win.
Score Projection: Liverpool 3: Bournemouth 1
Bournemouth have been in strong scoring form as of late, so I like them to snag a goal, however Liverpool have been clinical at home and I like this home form to continue. Especially with a strong side, they should be able to slot multiple home past Bournemouth in the Cherries' quest for their own goals.
Team News:
The biggest news is the likely fitness of striker Roberto Firmino as he suffered a bit of neck discomfort in training, but manager Jurgen Klopp says he will likely be available for the meeting with the Cherries. Klopp noted in his press conference that with the semi-finals still about two weeks in the distance he will be able to field his strongest available line-up heavily implying Firmino's availability. Additionally, Klopp made special note of the freshness of captain Jordan Henderson pointing to his return to the starting eleven following absence in leg two as a result of suspension.
The Reds will, however, be missing two newly injured men as the full-backs for the Merseyside Derby, Ragnar Klavan and Nathaniel Clyne, were both confirmed to be set to miss out this weekend's match. Klavan felt muscle discomfort while Clyne had a slight injury the day after his return in training. The two missing out points to Alexander-Arnold reprising his role as right-back, however perhaps this could be the week Alberto Moreno returns to the starting line-up. Klavan being out points to Conor Masterson likely getting a spot on the bench and perhaps his first senior appearance for Liverpool if the timing is right. Joel Matip is still ruled out for the year but Adam Lallana and Emre Can still, according to the gaffer, have hope to be back in contention to play before the end of the season. Klopp mentioned Emre specifically saying he felt good but things like this take time.
In terms of Bournemouth, two regular men will be missing out on the clash at Anfield as full-back Adam Smith and winger Junior Stanislas will both be missing out. Stanislas has been ruled out for the year, but manager Eddie Howe remains optimistic that Smith will return before the year's finish. Center-back Tyrone Mings has returned from injury back to training and Jordon Ibe is just a doubt as a result of illness, but it seems unlikely that either of those two men will feature on the weekend.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Lovren, Moreno; Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Projected Bournemouth Line-Up: Begovic; Francis, Cook, Ake, Daniels; Fraser, Cook, Gosling, Pugh, King; Wilson
Previewing the Match:
Liverpool faced a great deal of trouble against Bournemouth last season, most notably a catastrophic loss having been up 3-1 to falter 4-3 by the finish. This season's previous meeting, however, was not of the sort as Liverpool wrapped up a comfortable 4-0 victory in December with goals from Coutinho, Lovren, Salah, and Firmino in a dominating effort. If Bournemouth want to resume their bogey team status they're going to have to find a way to stop an attack that has scoring more than one goal OR won the match in every meeting dating back to a 1968 FA Cup bout (which the Reds won the replay in).
With morale at a soaring high from their European exploits, Liverpool are feeling good about themselves and the news that they will take on A.S. Roma in the semi-finals. But for now focus must be on Bournemouth in the league. Top four for next season is not yet sealed, but with three wins in the next three, Liverpool can lock their destiny before even having to venture into Stamford Bridge to take on fifth place Chelsea in the season's penultimate game. Clinching entrance to Champions League next year as early as possible for Liverpool would go a great deal in alleviating fans' nerves and serving potentially as a further morale booster for the entire team as they head into the later rounds of European competition.
Bournemouth may not have the greatest history against Liverpool, but last season showcased how much of a nuisance they can be. Ryan Fraser and Josh King were two of the key contributors to the annoyance of Liverpool supporters and Fraser's directness in play caused absolute chaos to the Reds in the 4-3 loss. King, an ex-United youth player, also has had a knack for frustrating Reds fans. Now both men were shut down rather well in the season's first tie (FutMob gave the second half sub Fraser just a 5.4 rating and King was at a 5.8 when he went off in the 31st), but if one or both start, expect nerves to be frayed. Also, one cannot forget about Jermain Defoe and his near goal in the first meeting of these two teams. Bournemouth is a team that will attack and has beaten Chelsea away and Arsenal at home, they are not expected to shy away from the bright lights.
Jordan Henderson's return to play will help a midfield that has been immaculate as of late. With Virgil van Dijk organizing the defense, this has also helped allow the midfield gain a greater foothold in just about every game they've been involved in (and vice versa in that the midfield's solid play has greater ease in the Liverpool defense). Henderson serves his captain duties well in the holding midfield role well, but he has been supported by great efforts from iron man James Milner and the key to the midfield attack in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Both quarterfinal victories were whole team efforts, and that is going to have to continue both in the league and in Europe.
Final Thoughts:
It is tough to pass judgment along for this game when Bournemouth has shown to be so hot and cold. They have beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a route, yet gone down at home in a route to Liverpool. They are a dangerous mid-table club who have provided exciting ties with Liverpool in recent memory, but this one Liverpool fans will hope to be memorable for the same reason as the previous encounter: a big win.
Score Projection: Liverpool 3: Bournemouth 1
Bournemouth have been in strong scoring form as of late, so I like them to snag a goal, however Liverpool have been clinical at home and I like this home form to continue. Especially with a strong side, they should be able to slot multiple home past Bournemouth in the Cherries' quest for their own goals.
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