LIVERPOOL VS BOURNEMOUTH: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool host Bournemouth in the Premier League this afternoon (3pm BST) hoping to finally get up and running with three points. Here’s how we expect Jürgen Klopp to line his side up for the encounter. For a match preview, you can head over here.

There are still a raft of absentees for the Reds, with up to ten players expected to miss out. Kelleher, Ramsay, Konaté, Matip, Jones, Thiago, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jota are all ruled out through injury whilst Darwin Nunez continues to serve his suspension.

This sees the manager’s options severely limited. There’s not a lot of room to manouvre with his lineup, with just a tweak or two expected from the lineup selected at Old Trafford.

Alisson will be in goal. The Brazilian is yet to keep a clean sheet this season, with the manager calling for the team to make his job easier ahead of the game. Ali has faced a one on one in every single match so far. That needs to change.

In the backline, Trent will continue at right back. He was shocking at Old Trafford and needs to get his act together pronto. Gomez and Van Dijk meanwhile will pair up in the heart of defence once again.

At left back, the manager has a decision to make. Robertson has been below par this season, being taken off in each of the last two games despite the result being in the balance.

Tsimikas has come on for him but hasn’t looked at his sharpest either. In his defence, he only just returned from a knock. He might benefit from getting more than just a few minutes late in the game. His deliveries are usually on the money and could be key against a deep defence.

The midfield selection will be very intriguing, with a lot of focus on Jürgen Klopp’s options (or lack thereof). The manager has changed his tune and admitted the need for an extra body, with the club now prepared to dip into the market.

It’s the same five options available for this afternoon’s fixture however. Fabinho is guaranteed to return to the side after being left out of the XI on Monday night. Alongside him should be youngsters Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho.

The two 19 year olds were the best of a bad bunch at Old Trafford. They may not possess the physical or defensive attributes of a Henderson or a Milner, but they offer way more on the ball in an attacking sense than that experienced duo.

If there’s a day to take this ‘risk’ then it’s at home to a promoted side that is coming off the back of two heavy defeats. Elliott has been our best midfielder so far and deserves to continue on the right hand side. His understanding with Salah and Trent continues to develop.

Carvalho’s courage to drive at the United defence from a left sided midfield role was the only positive last time out. He’s shown enough in his cameos to finally be trusted with a start. Hendo and Millie can provide leadership and solidity later in the game, especially if we have the lead.

Upfront, it’s pretty straightforward. Diaz and Salah will start on the left and right wing respectively. Firmino will continue through the middle despite an ineffective display at Old Trafford.

That’s down to the lack of options already discussed. The manager has the option of switching to a 4-2-3-1 with Salah leading the line but he’s been averse to moving away from the 4-3-3 so far this season.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Elliott, Carvalho, Salah, Firmino, Diaz.

Subs: Adrian, Van den Berg, Phillips, Robertson, Clark, Bajcetic, Milner, Henderson, Mabaya.