Football Previews

Bournemouth vs Liverpool preview, predictions & possible XIs

By John Smith

Bournemouth-Liverpool-preview-prediction-team-news-premier-league

Published: 15:14, 5 December 2019

Liverpool will look to further extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp’s men restored an 11-point gap over Manchester City and remain eight points clear of Leicester City after crushing Everton 5-2 in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield — that makes it 32 Premier League games unbeaten for Liverpool, their longest run in top-flight history.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, have lost all four of their games since beating Manchester United 1-0 at the start of November and have slipped to 12th in the table as a result.

Can the Cherries halt Liverpool’s record-breaking charge or will the Reds march on? Read on for our preview, predictions, team news and more.

When is Bournemouth vs Liverpool and where can I watch live?

Competition: Premier League

Venue: Vitality Stadium

Date: Saturday, 7 December 2019

Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UK time)

TV coverage (UK): N/A

Last five meetings: Bournemouth vs Liverpool

09 Feb 2019Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)

08 Dec 2018Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool (Premier League)

14 Apr 2018Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)

17 Dec 2017Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool (Premier League)

05 Apr 2017Liverpool 2-2 Bournemouth (Premier League)

Aggregate Score: Bournemouth (LLLLD) 2-16 Liverpool (WWWWD)

Ones to watch

Bournemouth: Ryan Fraser

Harry Wilson has scored three of Bournemouth’s last four goals but is unable to face his parent club on Saturday, making Ryan Fraser’s role that much more important.

The Scotland international provided the second-highest number of assists (14) in the Premier League last season but has just three so far this term.

The Cherries are struggling desperately in the attacking third and the sooner Fraser can rediscover his touch the better for Eddie Howe.

Key stat: No Bournemouth player has made more key passes in the Premier League than Fraser (19) this season.

Liverpool: Roberto Firmino 

Firmino was only given a short run out against Everton as Klopp rotated his squad but still managed an assist during his 17 minutes on the pitch, selling Mason Holgate brilliantly to open up the pass to Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Brazil international has often been referred to as “the glue” which holds Liverpool’s attack together and is likely return to the starting XI on Saturday to pull the Bournemouth defence out of shape.

Key stat: Only Sadio Mane (26) has completed more dribbles in the Premier League for Liverpool than Firmino (25) this season.

Team news

Bournemouth

Steve Cook is a doubt with a broken wrist, while Lloyd Kelly and Andrew Surman could also miss out.

Harry Wilson cannot feature against his parent club, while David Brooks, Josh King, Junior Stanislas and Charlie Daniels are all sidelined.

Predicted XI: Ramsdale; Smith, Mepham, Ake, Rico; Danjuma, L. Cook, Lerma, Billing, Fraser; C. Wilson.

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Liverpool

Klopp’s decision to rotate the likes of Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson was seen as a very bold one by fans but ultimately, Liverpool were facing a far inferior Everton side and needn’t have worried. The German is likely to make further changes at the weekend ahead of a very busy December.

Nathanial Clyne remains a long-term absentee, while Joel Matip and Fabinho are also out. Alisson returns after his one-match suspension.

Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Origi.

Squawka prediction

As if confidence wasn’t high enough, Liverpool will be absolutely flying after their 5-2 win over Everton and look unstoppable right now.

Bournemouth are on a four-game losing streak and as much as Howe’s side could do with a result to avoid being dragged down the table, it’s hard to see them getting one against the runaway league leaders.

Scoreline prediction: Bournemouth 1-3 Liverpool