Match Preview: Liverpool Face Tough Test at Bournemouth in Premier League Clash | OneFootball

Bournemouth v Liverpool – The Premier League Preview

Date – 1st February 2025

Venue – Vitality Stadium

Kick-off – 15.00

After a midweek loss to PSV that in no way stopped Liverpool from advancing to the next round of the Champions League as group winners, a trip to the south coast now comes for Arne Slot and his Premier League leaders.

Bournemouth Team News

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola will be without several key players: Enes Unal, Francisco Evanilson de Lima Barbosa, Julian Araujo, James Hill, Alex Scott, Julio Soler, and Luis Fernando Sinisterra are all ruled out.

In terms of recent form, the Cherries took Nottingham Forest apart with a 5-0 home win, following a tremendous 1-4 win at Newcastle and a solid 2-2 away to Chelsea.

Photo: IMAGO

After 23 matches in the top tier, forty points have been accumulated leading to a 7th place standing in the current table.

The predicted lineup for Bournemouth, using a 4-2-3-1 formation, is as follows:

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Lewis Cook, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, Ryan Christie, Tyler Adams. Justin Kluivert, David Brooks, Dango Ouattara, Antoine Semenyo

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool may be without both Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones, whereas the state of Joe Gomez’ and Darwin Núñez fitness is also unknown. All three assets have returned to full team training, however, risks will not be taken with a busy schedule ahead.

In their most recent match, Liverpool secured their first-place finish in the Champions League group stage, despite losing to PSV by a 3-2 scoreline. In the Premier League, the Reds secured a 4-1 home win against visiting Ipswich after a 0-2 win at Brentford. That pair of wins came after a 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest. With 22 matches played, Liverpool currently tops the Premier League standings with an impressive 53 points.

Photo: IMAGO

Here is the expected lineup that Arne Slot will field for this away match against the superb Bournemouth.

Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk (c), Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo

How Will This Contest Play Out?

Liverpool is expected to employ a strong offensive system that will look to pin back and contain a wonderfully impressive host. The use of Luis Díaz may well be used in a false nine position with the power of Dominik Szoboszlai utilized in transition. Virgil van Dijk will have to be superb in this game, as the Reds look to overcome a very difficult away day.

Antoine Semenyo will be the key attacking threat for the home side, whereas the brilliant form of Dean Huijsen will have to be overcome by the Liverpool attack. I suspect a vibrant game between two sides in form that will eventually result in a score draw. However, if Liverpool start fast and take their chances, they could be looking at a nine point lead over Arsenal before they host Manchester City on Sunday.

Player to Watch: Virgil van Dijk

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Bournemouth 1 – 1 Liverpool