How a year can make a difference. The last time Bournemouth were at Anfield, the Dorset club were on the wrong end of 9-0 drubbing which would mark the end of the Scott Parker era. Fast forward almost a year, and the Cherries have a new owner, one of the most promising young managers in the game and a flurry of new and exciting players on their books as they prepare to visit Anfield on Saturday, August 19 at 3pm. Here at Last Word on Sports we predict how the Cherries are likely to lineup vs Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, as they look to banish the demons of last season.
Kelly Back From Injury: Bournemouth Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool
Lloydy is available for #LIVBOU ✅
Andoni Iraola provided an injury round-up in his pre-match press conference.
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 18, 2023
How Bournemouth Have Lined Up Recently
Dominic Solanke ensured that Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League game in charge of the club did not end in defeat, as he tapped into an open net after rounding Alphonse Areola.
The striker played the whole 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw with West Ham, spearheading the attack, as they lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ryan Christie was chosen as the number ten to play just behind the 25-year-old, with David Brooks off the right, and Jaidon Anthony starting from the left.
Watch: Premier League Predictions
Iraola deployed Joe Rothwell and Philip Billing in the middle of the park with Lewis Cook and Alex Scott out through injury, and there were debuts for Milos Kerkez and Max Aarons, at left-back and right-back respectively.
Marcos Senesi and Illia Zabarnyi were deployed as the centre-back pairing, but the news that former captain Lloyd Kelly has returned to full fitness, and is available, will bolster Iraola’s options in defence – albeit most likely from the bench this week.
Current captain Neto started in between the sticks and will most certainly feature in every game this season, unless the Brazilian shot-stopper succumbs to injury. There was nothing the 34-year-old could have done to prevent Jarrod Bowen’s thunderbolt and will lead the team out at Anfield.
Bournemouth Recent Form and Tactics
Now that the new campaign has kicked off, it will be interesting to see how Iraola decides to play when he comes up against the big boys, but if his time in La Liga is anything to go by, then we could see some upsets with his Bournemouth side.
The Spaniard has taken points off both Real Madrid and Barcelona, beating both sides at home and even drawing 0-0 with Xavi’s title-winners at the Camp Nou.
The success he has endured to date is predominantly down to the way his teams play. His new side are adopting this style, which plays with a high line and presses high up the pitch in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Against West Ham, the Cherries recorded the second-highest amount of challenges in the final third of any team on the opening day, with five tackles, just one behind Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.
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Possession is another key difference in their approach this term, and the Dorset club were dominant with the ball against the Hammers, enjoying 63% of possession. Being more meticulous in their build-up, the team are looking to play out from the back, rather than playing a direct counter-attacking style that fans saw last season.
With the campaign still in its infancy, though, it remains to be seen whether or not Iraola will implement this style against the likes of Liverpool, but the Spanish coach is versatile enough to mix things up in order to get a result – just ask the Barcelona fans!
Bournemouth Injuries to Consider
There is some positive news on the injury front with centre-back Kelly fit enough to return to the match-day squad, whilst Senesi and Aarons are available for selection for the clash with Liverpool after coming off against West Ham.
The Spanish coach confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the duo had trained this week, with their substitutions last weekend simply down to cramp, whilst confirming Kelly is available for selection.
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However, the Cherries will remain without seven players, when they make the trip to Anfield. Marcus Tavernier, Adam Smith, Emiliano Marcondes and new signing Scott will all miss the trip to Merseyside, Alongside Dango Ouattara and Lewis Cook.
However, Iraola did provide an update on Ouattara who will need “more weeks” after missing out on the opening day fixture, despite featuring in preseason. Similarly, Cook will be assessed on a “week-to-week basis”.
With so many players out, it will force the 41-year-old’s hand, particularly in midfield and at right-back, with a similar team expected to play against the Reds as we saw this past weekend.
Bournemouth Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Neto
RB: Aarons
CB: Senesi
CB: Zabarnyi
LB: Kerkez
CM: Rothwell
CM: Billing
CAM: Christie
RWF: Brooks
LWF: Anthony
CF: Solanke
Current Odds: AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool
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Main image credit: Andy Jones, licensed for Last Word on Sports
