Reds look to return to winning ways against Bournemouth

Three losses in four, chaos enraged. Liverpool have hit their blip.

They take on Bournemouth, a side also on a downward spiral in the early kickoff on Saturday.

Defeats to Atletico Madrid, Watford and Chelsea have raised questions about the Reds’ mentality but nobody can deny them what has been an incredible season so far. They only need to win four more to win the Premier League title.

Next in line for them though are relegation candidates, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.

Albeit a bit of a bad luck from VAR, the Cherries’ run of form hit a brick wall in about October and it’s been pretty awful since – they sit level on points with Watford and West Ham but vacate the 18th position and third relegation spot.

Liverpool have won five consecutive Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth, by an aggregate score of 17-0.

Each of those wins was by at least three goals – the only team in top-flight history to win by such a margin in six consecutive games against an opponent is Manchester City, versus Wolves, between 1902 and 1905.

Bournemouth’s solitary victory in 16 meetings in all competitions came at home in the Premier League in December 2016. Nathan Ake gave them a 4-3 win with a 93rd-minute goal after the Cherries had trailed 2-0 and 3-1.

Team news

Liverpool unfortunately have lost Alisson to injury in training this week, meaning Spaniard Adrian will get another opportunity at Premier League action at Anfield for the Reds.

Naby Keita may be unavailable due to the tragic death of his cousin in a coach crash in Guinea, but was in training pre-match alongside James Milner.

Harry Wilson will be ineligible to face his parent club, and young defender Lloyd Kelly may be in line to make his first Premier League appearance after terrible thigh and ankle injuries.

Jurgen Klopp

“Not only we – as a team – lost three of the last four, our supporters lost them as well. [Now] it’s about the reaction – really fighting back with an atmosphere that is exceptional.

“Look, you cannot hope for momentum – you have to work for momentum. That’s what we want to do. In the moment, we are completely focused on nothing else than the game tomorrow.”

Eddie Howe

“We know this weekend is probably the ultimate test this season. We’ve got to rise to it, embrace it and attack it.

“We’re not going to win by playing okay, or playing at 60 or 70%, we can only do it if we excel.

“The most important quality we can have this week is belief.”

Head-to-head

Bournemouth – 1

Draws – 3

Liverpool – 12