Topic: Bournemouth v Liverpool Sunday 21 January 2024, 4.30pm

[K-Lo]

Bournemouth (The Cherries) v Liverpool
Vitality Stadium
Premier League
Sunday 21 January 2024, 4.30pm



So finally, it’s back to Premier League football after the ‘Winter Break’ (10 days for us) and it’s a potentially tricky away game at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Liverpool sit at the top of the table whilst the Cherries are having a good season and are currently lying in 12th position on 25 points. In the home game table, however, their form would have them lying in 15th position so not as good as their away form (10th place). They currently have three wins, three draws and three defeats at home. We have reasons to be hopeful.

Overall, we have a good record at the Vitality Stadium with our most recent win there coming in October in the League Cup. Our record under Jurgen in the premier league against the Cherries is 10 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats. Our overall record at the Vitality is 7 wins and 2 defeats. 

Our own form has been fantastic over the last few weeks with confidence boosting wins (and performances) against Arsenal away in the cup and home to Newcastle in the league. A continuation of that form would be great. Of course, since our last league game (on 1st January wow!!!) we have lost Salah and Endo to their international teams and Trent to injury. With injuries to Szoboszlai, Robertson, Tsimi, Matip, Thiago, Bajcetic and Doak, we really are testing the limits of our squad. So far so good and hopefully Szobo will be back for this one. Due to the reduced numbers available to us this weekend the team probably more or less picks itself. Connor Bradley will probably start at right back with Joe Gomez again at left back. You would expect Van Dijk and Konate to complete the defence. If Szobo is fit then we will probably see him, Macallister and Jones in midfield. The only real question marks will be in attack with three from Jota, Diaz, Nunez and Gakpo. I would expect Elliott to be on the bench.

We are traditionally quite poor in January under Jurgen with the upturn generally coming in mid February. Last season was particularly bad with heavy defeats to Brentford, Brighton and Wolves and a draw with Chelsea from the start of January to the middle of February (dark days). If we are to battle for the PL title this time then we can’t afford any kind of slump.

The Cherries are having a very good season under new manager Andoni Iraola (he replaced Gary O’Neil last June) whilst main striker Dominic Solanke is having a really strong season (being ex-Liverpool its really nice to see him do so well – as long as he blanks on Sunday 😊). Solanke has 12 goals and 1 assist in the league so far this season.

It looks like Bournemouth will be without Senesi, Semenyo and Outtara this weekend. Tyler Adams remains injured and won’t be back for this game.

The referee this weekend will be Andy Madley with our old friend Paul Tierney on VAR. Last time we saw Tierney he was denying us a good goal against Burnley. I don’t want to say too much about this as I don’t want to let it ruin the excitement for the game and we have won both games that he has refereed us this season (3-0 v Brentford and 2-0 v Burnley). However, according to Paul Tomkins, Liverpool’s win percentage drops by about 10% with Tierney whilst City’s goes up by almost 20%. He comes from Wigan in Greater Manchester.

Some memorable results from this fixture include the 9-0 win at Anfield for us last season (which unfortunately did not lead to a general improvement in form) and the 4-3 win for them at the Vitality in 2016, in the early days of Klopp.

Bournemouth AFC, was originally founded in 1890 as Boscombe St. John's Institute F.C. and the team went through several name changes before settling on AFC Bournemouth in 1972. The club's home ground was originally called Dean Court but is currently known as the Vitality Stadium. It’s not so long ago now that Bournemouth faced bankruptcy and possible extinction. In 2008 they were punished for going into administration and were relegated to League two. Their fortunes changed quickly however with the arrival of Eddie Howe in 2009.

In the 2014-2015 season Bournemouth won the Football League Championship and gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history. They were subsequently relegated in 2020 before promotion again in 2022.

[Zlen]

Thanks for the OP. Stellar first effort, very much appreciated. 👏

Looking forward to this game. Hope at least some players are back.

[Air Jota]

Any win will do, tricky away game. We dont always play at our best post some time off, hopefully we're sharp enough and clinical

[Samie]

https://twitter.com/JamesPearceLFC/status/1747586257733980628

The #LFC squad back in training at Kirkby today after six days off following the victory over Fulham.

[Bincey]

Weather could potentially be similar to the cup game. A similar result would be good.

[Higgins79]

Cant wait for this, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that.

The weather forecast looks similar to the last time we went there... Horrific. Strong wind and rain. Its going to be a bit of a scrap so we just need to get over the line.

[killer-heels]

Tricky game this but the good thing is that we should be prepared for a very tough game and the coaches have enough information about Bournemouth. They are dangerous going forward with a lot of pace so we will have to be careful with the ball.

Not having Trent and Salah will make this difficult. I think we will win, but only just. Nervy 1-0 or 2-1.

[thaddeus]

Thanks K-Lo.  I'm not hugely surprised that their home form is not as strong as their away from as Iraola has them set up to be quite a cautious counter-attacking/pressing team.  It was most evident at Old Trafford where they had around 30% possession but in their sporadic bursts of pressing ripped Man U open.  I also thought they looked really dangerous on the counter-attack at Spurs and, despite ultimately losing, could very easily have scored five goals had they had their shooting boots on.

I'd be amazed if we took a step back though and expect we'll look to dominate possession and territory and strangle their counter-attacks at source.  On paper our defence is a strong match-up for Solanke.

Assuming our players have come though a week off without picking up any more injuries () then we should have too much firepower for them.  Even with so many players missing our bench is so impactful.

Allison
Bradley - Konate - van Dijk - Gomez
Szobo - Macca - Jones
Jota - Gakpo - Darwin

Notable subs: Quansah, Grav, Harvey, Diaz

Diaz could realistically come in for any of the front three.  However we line up though we'll have some firepower in reserve.

[Yorkykopite]

One of the problems of playing Brighton and Hove Albion is that you have to play against a team of 22 players. The OP (excellent work) reminded me that when I was a kid AFC Bournemouth  was still called Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic. Same problem. Draw them in the cup and they'd have twice as many players on the pitch as you.

I'd let 'em play with 22 on Sunday. We'd still beat 'em.

[redk84]

Thanks OP
Unlike most (im guessing) ive enjoyed this break from football....knowing we are clear at the top of the table, all seemed right in the world

I suppose there's a league title to win
And if we want to do that can't afford to be dropping points in fixtures like this. Especially as City have won their last few games on the trot, Arsenal have a few easy games lined up too and are not that far back

But if its about taking it one game at a time and concentrating on ourselves then it has to be a solid restart to the season with some well rested players who should know they are better than their opponents. We can't give them any reason to get momentum, win our battles all over the pitch not showing any complacency and hopefully take them to the sword....

I can see it being a game where we get a lead....then a 2nd late on.
Will be interested in our first half performance, hasn't been great alot of times this season
And am hoping the break has done wonders for Nunez....if he starts finding the net again it will be great considering Salah is away

Lets go redmen

[4pool]

Referee: Andy Madley.
Assistants: Harry Lennard, Nick Hopton.
Fourth official: Graham Scott.
VAR: Paul Tierney.
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.

[The G in Gerrard]

Tough game and always feels like we take a while to get going first game back.

[So… Howard Philips]

Tough game and always feels like we take a while to get going first game back.

Good informative op. I still shudder at the 4-3 and didn’t Ake score their winner?

I take your point about us taking a while to get going but this time at least we don’t have a 1230 kick off.

As usual, probably a few nervy periods but a close win, in the end.

[Nyx]

Not an ideal first game after the mini-break. Hopefully we’ll be at it and Domi is back for this. Any win will do and all that.

[Samie]

I think Dom might miss this one. He said last week that if he hast to miss one more game to recover and be available for the long run then he will do it. 

[thaddeus]

Referee: Andy Madley.
Assistants: Harry Lennard, Nick Hopton.
Fourth official: Graham Scott.
VAR: Paul Tierney.
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.

Thanks 4pool.  Spoilt what was an otherwise perfectly fine day.

[4pool]

Thanks 4pool.  Spoilt what was an otherwise perfectly fine day.

I don't pick 'em....

[Tobelius]

Thanks for the OP   


Potential banana skin of a game,they have some form and a goalscorer.
One game at a time from now on until the end and hopefully we'll be laughing in may.

[shank94]

11 days gap and no injured players returning!!!!

[The G in Gerrard]

Good informative op. I still shudder at the 4-3 and didn’t Ake score their winner?

I take your point about us taking a while to get going but this time at least we don’t have a 1230 kick off.

As usual, probably a few nervy periods but a close win, in the end.

Yeah 12.30 kick offs is another issue as well but thankfully doesn't apply here.

Any win will do.

[duvva 💅]

Great Op, thanks for getting involved.

Just looking at todays training photos can’t see anyone back from injury. Robbo is in one but that was inside. I’m not familiar enough with the kids but wasn’t sure if Bradley was there or not.

From what a few have said it sounds like conditions could be tricky. 3 points is all that’s important here. Might be a tight one but we still have enough quality available to win this.

[Spanish Al]

Nice one, K-Lo.

Just twat them, Reds.

[jillcwhomever]

Great opening post K-Lo, looking forward to seeing the Reds play once again, it's felt like a lot longer than ten days.

[Jm55]

Great Op, thanks for getting involved.

Just looking at todays training photos can’t see anyone back from injury. Robbo is in one but that was inside. I’m not familiar enough with the kids but wasn’t sure if Bradley was there or not.

From what a few have said it sounds like conditions could be tricky. 3 points is all that’s important here. Might be a tight one but we still have enough quality available to win this.

Hoping for a Trent diddle but nothing to suggest it’s the case.

[reddebs]

You can all relax, I'm working ☺️

[Nick110581]

This will be really tough.

[Rosario]

Missing 2 super influential players when it comes to creating and scoring chances in Mo and Trent is less than ideal. Really need the whole team to be switched on defensively for this for the full 90 minutes and avoid those slow starts that we are becoming known for. Don’t want to be chasing this one after falling behind.

[stockdam]

Thanks K-Lo.

I think this could be a tough match and obviously any win would do as we need to keep our noses in front.

Jones has been playing well and I hope he has a great game. Hopefully our forwards will see us win.

[BarryCrocker]

They were on a run of 8 PL games without a loss before Spurs beat them on 31/12. They'll be well rested having only played QPR in the FA back on 06/01.

Going to have to keep Solanke and Kluivert well under wraps. Especially down our right hand side.

[RogerTheRed]

Come on Redmen!!
Great detailed op thanks KLo. Yes, going to be tricky this one. No Dom in training photos is a concern. Squad pretty stretched but a rest should have done them all good. Looking forward to a tight win, hopefully the start of a run of matches Nunez scores in.

[Rush 82]

Nice one K-Lo!

Any win will do - doesn't have to be fancy - Bournemouth have been playing well of late, so there'll be no underestimating them.

Ugh, Madley and Tierney as Ref and VAR make me feel ill.

[Knight]

This is one of those games, because it's January, because it's after a break and because we're without Salah and Trent (and Szoboslai?), that a spawny winner off the shoulder in the 93rd minute would be a great result. Hope it's a spawny opener in the 20th minute and a deflected pot shot in the 65th minute though, just to help my blood pressure.

[Bread]

Would take a scrappy 1-0 win right now if offered. The only important thing now at this time of year with how thin our squad is currently looking is getting results on the board. By any means necessary.

The beautiful football can wait until the weather is nicer and our squad is fuller.

[classycarra]

This is one of those games, because it's January, because it's after a break and because we're without Salah and Trent (and Szoboslai?), that a spawny winner off the shoulder in the 93rd minute would be a great result. Hope it's a spawny opener in the 20th minute and a deflected pot shot in the 65th minute though, just to help my blood pressure.

exactly

think it might be ugly and a bit of a slog. second game there this season, and the first one was attritional. granted that was mostly down to the weather, but it was a poor team performance too (and we'd put out a relative strong lineup given it was league cup).

going to be leaning on Mac and the centre backs quite a bit for their passing range. hopefully Bradley brings the same energy and performance as he did to his home debut - could be a vital outlet.

Going to have to keep Solanke and Kluivert well under wraps. Especially down our right hand side.

they had another forward in the league cup came who was pacey and found himself in some great positions, only to have an absolutely awful finish every single time. can't remember his name, but he'll be a threat if we concede so many chances to him again

[Knight]

exactly

think it might be ugly and a bit of a slog. second game there this season, and the first one was attritional. granted that was mostly down to the weather, but it was a poor team performance too (and we'd put out a relative strong lineup given it was league cup).

going to be leaning on Mac and the centre backs quite a bit for their passing range. hopefully Bradley brings the same energy and performance as he did to his home debut - could be a vital outlet.
they had another forward in the league cup came who was pacey and found himself in some great positions, only to have an absolutely awful finish every single time. can't remember his name, but he'll be a threat if we concede so many chances to him again

God bless the mid table attacking player who's speedy and tricky, with excellent technique right up until the moment he has to play the final pass or actually shoot. Many a match won thanks in part to such players.

[classycarra]

God bless the mid table attacking player who's speedy and tricky, with excellent technique right up until the moment he has to play the final pass or actually shoot. Many a match won thanks in part to such players.

Absolutely! Especially as we've developed away from our last great team, that absolutely throttled the opposition and prevented chances, to one that plays a bit higher risk defensively for higher reward

He was their Mbuemo for sure. Just looked it up and am pleased, from a jinxing persective, to say Semenyo is playing for Ghana in the AFCON

[phil236849]

Good OP thanks

This is the match in which Joey will score!

[StevoHimself]

Solanke feels nailed on to score. I might be wrong, but it feels like quite a few ex-players have scored against us in recent years. I agree that it will be a tough game, but it's imperative we go on a good run in the next month or so.

[disgraced cake]

Bournemouth are having a respectable season built on Solanke's goals but I wasn't really impressed with them in the 3-1 at Anfield or the 2-1 in the League Cup. To lose to them would be a real disappoint, and not just because it would knock us off the top of the table. That defeat there last season was a nightmare, especially after humiliating them at Anfield earlier in the season. I'm surprised as well to see that their squad has changed quite a bit over the last couple of years, I thought all the same nobodies who served them well under Eddie Howe were still there but it looks a younger side today.

Alisson
Bradley   Konate   VVD   Gomez
Mac Allister
Gravenberch   Jones
Diaz   Jota   Nunez

Or maybe get Gakpo involved somewhere. I don't know. JFW.

[meady1981]

I don’t like the whole Sunday at 4pm on the TV vibe to this one. Feels a bit sticky.
Would be more comfy with a Saturday 3pm on a dodgy stream.