Liverpool vs Bournemouth Preview: Classic Encounter, Team News, Key Battles and More

​Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield this Wednesday night as they look to maintain their place in the top three.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are currently on a four match unbeaten run in the Premier League, picking up three victories in the process.

Bournemouth have recently hit form at just the right time and they now find themselves comfortable in mid-table thanks to a run that’s seen them win two of the last three Premier League matches.

Classic Encounter (Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool, December 2016)

You don’t need to go that far back in time to remember this recent Premier League classic.

Liverpool were on a 15 match unbeaten run and looked like extending that as they went 2-0 ahead thanks to first half goals from Mane and Origi.

Callum Wilson scored a penalty to get the home side back into the match, but Liverpool quickly restored their two goal advantage with a sublime goal from Emre Can.

Bournemouth responded in sensational style as Ryan Fraser and Steve Cook scored two goals in as many minutes making it 3-3 with ten minutes remaining. 

The home side pushed for the winner and they got it as defender Nathan Ake capitalised on a Karius mistake to send Dean Court into absolute raptures.

Key Battles

James Milner vs Ryan Fraser

Ryan Fraser was the game changer in the classic encounter back in December last year as he ran the Liverpool defence absolutely ragged. The young Scotsman scored an important goal in the game and manager Eddie Howe might decide to put him on James Milner’s side to test him at fullback.

Fraser has had a fantastic season so far as he has made 19 appearances in the Premier League, scoring three league goals and producing two assists in the process.

James Milner has done a sensational job at fullback for Liverpool this season as he has kept the likes of Alberto Moreno on the bench.

Milner’s worst performance arguably came against Bournemouth when he was found wanting on numerous occasions and he was at fault for the penalty conceded.

He has since grown into the position and he has become a leader on the pitch, and shown that he can provide both attacking and defending qualities for the Merseyside team.

Joel Matip vs Joshua King

This is set to be an important duel in midweek at Anfield.

Due to the injury of regular striker Callum Wilson, Joshua King has become an important part of Bournemouth’s set up and he has shone in recent weeks.

The Norwegian striker has struck up a fantastic partnership with Benik Afobe and the two have scored a combined total of six goals in Bournemouth’s last five Premier League matches.

Joel Matip has been one of the signings of the season as he has slotted perfectly into the style of play in the Premier League and he boasts a great record of only losing three games in 21 league appearances.

Team News & Predicted Lineups

Liverpool suffered a massive blow in the Merseyside derby as top goalscorer Sadio Mane limped off with an injury and he isn’t expected to be fit for this midweek clash. Englishman Adam Lallana still hasn’t recovered from the injury that kept him out at the weekend.

There are no new injury concerns for Bournemouth for this upcoming fixture so don’t expect too many changes to the starting line up that featured in the derby against Southampton on Saturday evening.

Liverpool Predicted XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Can, Lucas, Wijnaldum, Origi, Firmino, Coutinho

Bournemouth Predicted XI: Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Fraser, Surman, Gosling, Pugh, Afobe, King

Prediction

There could be a lot of goals in this match as Liverpool are the Premier League’s top goalscorers with 64 goals to their name and Bournemouth have scored the most goals out of all the clubs outside the top 10.

Liverpool will be looking to avenge the 4-3 defeat they suffered at Dean Court last year and despite not being able to call on the services of Lallana and Mane, they should have enough quality to get an important victory.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth

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