After a hard-earned win at Stoke last weekend, Liverpool will host Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth on Monday night in the first Anfield fixture of the campaign. Brendan Rodgers will be expecting to take all three points from the game, with Bournemouth’s home defeat to Aston Villa a clear indication of the red side’s superiority. However Liverpool will need to improve the offensive aspect of their game. The display against Stoke, though dogged, was also often lacklustre when going forward, sparse for a magical strike from Philippe Coutinho. This is a different type of fixture to the clash at the Britannia, and so different qualities will be needed.
Eddie Howe’s side are typically set up in attacking style, and whilst there is no doubt he will be looking to capitalise on any defensive frailties displayed by Liverpool, it is likely the Cherries will be set up to cause trouble on the counter attack, utilizing Callum Wilson’s pace. Thus, Liverpool will have to be sharper in order to break down what will likely be a considerable number of opposition players when Bournemouth sit back.
It seems likely that Liverpool will be slightly less direct than they were on the smaller, more compact pitch in last week’s scrappy fixture, and so there may be less long balls played by Mignolet this time around. Of course though Benteke’s aerial threat is considerable and can be a useful weapon against stubborn defences, so it is still something Liverpool will look to incorporate somewhat, especially if struggling to get that vital first goal. In terms of other striking options for the home side, Danny Ings could be a viable threat from the bench, whether the team desperately needs a goal or is leading and so looking to further that lead on the break.
The key tactical talking point for Liverpool this week would have to be regarding the first team positions of Jordon Ibe and Adam Lallana from last Sunday. Emre Can came on for Lallana in that fixture and brought the team an increased assuredness with the ball, allowing for Milner and Henderson to advance further forward with increased security behind them. The question is whether Rodgers believes a Henderson-Milner partnership is enough defensive cover for Bournemouth, or whether he prefers the idea of an extra central midfielder to help deter counter attacks. Firmino’s fitness will also have improved and so Ibe and Lallana’s positions are under even further threat, especially when you consider both did not have much of an impact when they did start against Stoke.
The game is also a game for Dejan Lovren to further cement his position in the line-up. Rodgers seemingly prefers him to Sakho as a partner for Skrtel, and another clean sheet would be very welcome. It will also be interesting to see what Joe Gomez, whose preferred position is centre back, offers offensively in what will likely be a somewhat different test for the 18 year old Englishman.
Interesting pre-match statistics:
- Liverpool have never lost a competitive game to Bournemouth. They have won 4 and drawn 2 of the previous clashes, which were all cup games. This will be the first league meeting between the two.
- Bournemouth won 13 matches and collected 44 points away from home in the Champonship last season, more than any other club.
- Christian Benteke has netted 11 goals in his last 12 premier league games.
- Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has collected 10 clean sheets in the league in 2015, which is more than any other keeper in the division.
Likely Line ups:
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez; Henderson, Can, Milner; Coutinho, Firmino, Benteke.
Bournemouth: Boruc; Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels; Ritchie, Gosling, Tomlin, Surman, Gradel; Wilson.
Match result prediction: Liverpool 2 Bournemouth 0
Where you can watch the match:
SkySports 1, 8pm kick-off on Monday the 17th August 2015.
Comment below what you believe the final result will be!
Adam Connellan
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Liverpool.fc 4-0 fc.bournemouth he should have used FIRMINO instead of IBE. Any best of luck.