Liverpool Vs Bournemouth - English Premier League - Saturday 9th Feb 15:00 GMT - Match Preview
After dropping points in their last two matches with back to back 1-1 draws against Leicester and West Ham the pressure is starting to mount up for Liverpool as the Premier League title race heads into the final third of the season. Manchester City picked up a win during the week against Everton bringing them level on points with Liverpool but The Reds can reclaim top position with a result against Bournemouth. Both sides have the same 62 points with City's goal difference seeing them edge ahead, Liverpool has a game in hand though and can go 3 points clear with a win against Bournemouth.
Liverpool's preparations were hampered ahead of their last game against West Ham due to some unfortunate last minute injuries but it seems like there is some good news ahead of this weekends game. Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson who each picked up late injuries have returned to training and should be set to feature, Trent Alexander Arnold has also recovered from his injury and should be available to make a return at right back and ease Klopp's defensive woes. Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren and Oxlade Chamberlain all remain out but in the press conference today Klopp seemed optimistic about each of them returning soon.
Despite the recent slump and some of the reaction from fans suggesting that their title challenge may now be over Liverpool are actually in pretty good form. Only Manchester City have managed to beat them in the league so far this season and they are currently on a club record of 33 games unbeaten at home. So Liverpool fans can be hopeful that their side should return to winning ways on Saturday at Anfield, especially as Bournemouth have lost their previous 7 league away games while scoring just 3 goals during that time too.
If Liverpool were in any need of motivation to lift themselves up after the consecutive draws they may want to revisit the reverse fixture against Bournemouth earlier in the season. Back then Liverpool was chasing Manchester City who were set to play Chelsea just like they will be doing this weekend. Liverpool dominated Bournemouth, Mo Salah banged in a hat-trick in one of his best performances of the season and Chelsea handed City their first loss of the season which saw Liverpool edge into the lead at the top of the table. If history could repeat itself and those results were replicated Liverpool would once again be firmly in the driving seat and favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the season.
It's likely that Jurgen Klopp will stick with his front three despite Firmino and Salah looking sluggish at West Ham, Salah scored a hat trick against Bournemouth earlier in the season while Firmino has a good record against them too. The return of Alexander Arnold will give Liverpool a massive boost in both defence and attack and Klopp should also be able to name his best midfield of Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Henderson. Bournemouth will be without top scorer Callum Wilson as well as Lewis Cook, David Brooks and Simon Francis. On loan Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne will also not be able to feature but Liverpool could face former striker Dom Solanke who they sold to The Cherries during the latest transfer window.