Premier League: Reeling Reds Badly Need to Beat Bournemouth

Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth

A Premier League season that held a lot of promise has quickly gone pear-shaped for Liverpool. The Reds remain without a win in their first three games and are already way off the pace in the title chase.

And after a demoralising defeat to rivals Manchester United, Jurgen Klopp’s side cannot afford another setback when they host newly promoted Bournemouth this weekend.

The Cherries, who are one place above the Reds in the Premier League table at the moment, have been crushed in recent matches against Man City and Arsenal. But can they add to Liverpool’s misery at Merseyside?

Talking Points

Liverpool lacking form, players

Liverpool were expected to once again be Manchester City’s biggest title challengers this season, but the Reds’ Premier League 2022 odds of dethroning City have taken a big hit with their disappointing start to the season.

After back-to-back draws against newly promoted Fulham and Crystal Palace, they were handed a shock 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

With just two points in their first three games, Liverpool currently lie in 16th in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal and five behind City.

The rash of injuries and absentees has been a big factor in the Reds’ surprisingly slow start. Centre-backs Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate are out injured, as are midfielders Thiago, Curtis Jones, and Naby Keita, as well as striker Diogo Jota. Meanwhile, new star striker Darwin Nunez is still serving out his three-match suspension after his sending off against Crystal Palace.

However, Klopp also made the puzzling decision to drop defensive midfielder Fabinho against United, which did not go well. Look for the Brazilian to return to the starting lineup against Bournemouth.

With his options limited, Klopp might be once again be forced to turn to teenagers Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho with veterans James Milner and Roberto Firmino struggling.

Bournemouth keen to avoid another beating

Newly promoted Bournemouth are being tipped as one of the favourites to get relegated this season, and the last two weeks are indicative of the uphill battle they face to survive.

After their 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the season opener, they promptly lost to Premier League heavyweights Manchester City and Arsenal by an aggregate score of 7-0.

The Cherries were hardly competitive in either match as the vast gulf in quality between them and those clubs was clear for all to see.

Scott Parker played a heavily rotated side in their Carabao Cup triumph over Norwich on penalties, so most of his first-choice players should be fresh to face Liverpool.

However, new signings Joe Rothwell and Ryan Fredricks are still unlikely to make their season debuts, while attacking midfielders David Brooks and Junior Stanislas are also sidelined.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke is progressing after missing the last two games with an ankle injury and could get fit in time to face his old side.

The Cherries are already quite light up front, and they have sorely missed Solanke’s ability to provide Premier League 2022 highlights. They have just two shots on target in the last two games.

History

Bournemouth’s records against Manchester City and Arsenal are both abysmal, and their results against Liverpool are no better. The Reds have won 13 of their 16 all-time meetings, including eight of 10 matches in the Premier League. The Cherries’ lone win over Liverpool came in the 2016-17 season, a 4-3 barnburner at the Vitality.

But the Reds have gone unbeaten in their last seven meetings and have won the last six, with Bournemouth scoring just one goal in those six games. Mohamed Salah scored in both meetings against the Cherries the last time they were in the Premier League in the 2019-20 season.

Betting Tip 

SBOTOP odds have Liverpool installed as astronomical 1.092 favourites to beat Bournemouth, the biggest favourites in this round of Premier League matches. The Cherries are a whopping 22.00 to pull off a massive upset at Anfield, while a draw is 9.25.

Despite Liverpool’s recent downturn in form and long list of absentees, it’s hard to see them slipping up at home to Bournemouth.

However, with the Reds yet to hit their stride and Bournemouth desperate to avoid another blowout, this might end up being a relatively low-scoring match with under 3.50 goals.

 

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