Liverpool vs. Bournemouth: Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

After getting off to a good start in their most recent Champions League trip, Liverpool will return home on Merseyside for Saturday afternoon's Premier League match against Bournemouth.

The Reds' 3-1 European triumph against AC Milan on Tuesday was their second consecutive comeback win, while the Cherries' agonizing 1-0 defeat to Chelsea has given them a whole week to reflect.

Previous Matches and Head-head

After his team's spectacular comeback, newly-appointed Reds coach Arne Slot could afford to celebrate his birthday in style at San Siro, despite his earlier claims that they would take a second seat to Liverpool's current clash with historical rivals Milan.

Christian Pulisic's opening placed the six-time European champions in a precarious position. Still, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate's headers changed the game in the first half, and Dominik Szoboszlai's thigh scored the winning goal on Slot's birthday.

It wasn't quite Istanbul 2005, but a home win over the Rossoneri was the perfect remedy for last weekend's letdown as the Reds puffed and puffed their way into Nottingham Forest, only to be defeated by a magnificent goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi in Slot's first competitive loss.

The Reds are still in fourth place in the early season rankings, which puts them in contention for the Champions League. They are behind only Newcastle United and Arsenal by one point and are two points worse off than flawless Manchester City. On top of that, they have the greatest defensive record, tied with Arsenal.

Liverpool and Arsenal surrendered one goal in the 2024–25 Premier League, although their prospective opponents may relate to Liverpool's late-game 1-0 home defeats. Liverpool also had the greatest total shots-against and goals-against percentage in the league, with only 28.

Bournemouth should have won last week at the Vitality Stadium against a lackluster Chelsea team like their more illustrious rivals. The Blues' goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, went from being a zero to a hero after giving up a penalty and saving the next penalty.

Substitutes Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku scored a last-second goal for Chelsea on the South Coast, ruining Bournemouth's unblemished start to the 2024–25 season, forcing Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca to rely on his expensively assembled cavalry.

The eleventh-placed visitors can only think about hypotheticals before their challenging journey north, even though Andoni Iraola's team might have set a new Premier League record had they hung on for the last few minutes.

Bournemouth, who have won only once this season (a remarkable comeback victory against a stunned Everton), have the opportunity to become the third Premier League team to defeat both Merseyside clubs in consecutive road games. Manchester City in 2021 and Arsenal in 2012 are the other two teams in this exclusive group.

Although the Cherries were victorious in two of the three matches between the two teams last season, the Reds rallied from an early goal deficit to earn a 3-1 victory at Anfield, and they cruised to victories of 2-1 and 4-0 in the EFL Cup and Premier League, respectively, on the South Coast.

Liverpool vs. Bournemouth Team News

After not being considered ready for his season-opening appearances against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, Federico Chiesa, a recent signing for Liverpool, has had his Reds baptism as a late replacement at San Siro and is now in line to make his debut.

Slot should have a solid showing on Saturday before making many changes for next week's EFL Cup match against West Ham United. With Chiesa now at an acceptable level of health, the only absence for the hosts to worry about is Harvey Elliott, who suffered a foot fracture.

Despite Cody Gakpo's assistance for Szoboszlai on Tuesday, Luis Diaz should sit the Dutchman, and Andrew Robertson will replace Kostas Tsimikas as left-back this weekend. Tsimikas made a surprise start against Milan.

The return of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is now on loan from Chelsea but was ruled out of last weekend's match against his club, will be warmly welcomed by Iraola and the Bournemouth bench. Mark Travers did a commendable job in goal for Arrizabalaga.

Even so, Kepa will undoubtedly take the gloves off Travers at Anfield. The only injuries the Cherries will likely miss are Dango Ouattara (ankle) and Tyler Adams (back).

Following last weekend's dismal performance—in which he missed a penalty and was hooked in the 68th minute—Evanilson now faces tough offensive opposition from the fit-again Enes Unal.

Our prediction

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Slot has overseen a consistent theme of defensive stability for Liverpool in the Premier League, except Hudson-Odoi's stunning goal last weekend. He also oversaw the appropriate response at San Siro and should supervise a more suitable home performance for the Reds on Saturday.

Bournemouth should not be eradicated as a team by their hosts here in 2024–25 since they have kept every game tight. However, we do not see the Cherries returning from this match with anything.

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