Liverpool host Bournemouth at Anfield as both teams look to improve upon opening draws.
Victory would see Liverpool leapfrog Bournemouth into the top half of the table, whilst Andoni Iraola’s Cherries can go top with a win for a few hours at minimum depending upon results elsewhere.
Team News
Wataru Endo could make his debut for Liverpool after he signed from VfB Stuttgart this week, whilst manager – Jurgen Klopp reported no fresh injury concerns after their 1-1 draw at Chelsea.
Stefan Bajcetic (adductor) is unlikely to feature but Thiago Alcantara (hip) remains ruled out.
Bournemouth will be without Dango Outtara after he missed their opening 1-1 draw against West Ham with an ankle injury.
Lloyd Kelly (muscle) faces a late fitness test but Ryan Fredericks (calf), Adam Smith (muscle), Lewis Cook (hip), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring) and Alex Scott (knee) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield at 3pm BST on Saturday 19 August, untelevised in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last nine meetings against Bournemouth (W7, D1, L1).
- Bournemouth have claimed just one point in six previous league visits to Anfield (D1, L5).
- Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have conceded just one goal in their last three home clashes against Bournemouth, during which they scored 14 goals.
- Liverpool have kept two clean sheets in their last six home matches (W4, D2).
- Five of Bournemouth’s last eight conceded league goals were scored after half-time.
Prediction
Following a summer of change, Liverpool should be pleased with their draw at Chelsea because their attacking play was excellent, aside from their end product which will only improve but their defence need to sort out their marking issues which almost cost them last weekend.
Bournemouth meanwhile can’t do any worse here than on their last visit but with Iraola now in charge, their defence looked more solid against West Ham whilst their attack just lacked the clinical touch at times which now needs to be perfect if want a result here.
I however can’t see Liverpool slipping up here aside from conceding one goal if their defence aren’t careful, but this should be just one outcome.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth
Result: Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth