Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points once more when they take on Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.
A re-emerging Manchester City trimmed the Reds’ lead at the summit to two points last weekend after snatching a late victory over Newcastle.
Liverpool have already overcome Bournemouth twice this season, although Andoni Iraola’s side have continued to improve since their last meeting which arrived in the Carabao Cup fourth round. The Cherries are one of the Premier League’s form teams and the Reds are without a couple of key cogs this weekend.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.
GK: Alisson – The visitors will be without a couple of stars on Sunday, but Alisson is not one of them. He’ll start between the sticks.
RB: Conor Bradley – He’s no Trent Alexander-Arnold, but young Bradley has impressed since appearing off the bench at Arsenal in the FA Cup. This will be his first Premier League start.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – The Frenchman has a key role to play in Liverpool’s title charge. Excellent as of late, Konate must stay fit the rest of the way.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Van Dijk’s passing range will be critical for the Reds in Alexander-Arnold’s absence, Bournemouth’s pressing will be pivotal to their chances of causing an upset, so the Dutch defender must take control of Liverpool’s build-up.
LB: Joe Gomez – Klopp’s preferred left-backs should be available again in February, but Gomez has performed pretty well out wide in recent outings.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – Wataru Endo’s absence means Mac Allister starts at the base of midfield by default. Liverpool need the very best of the Argentine.
CM: Curtis Jones – Jones is starting to emerge as a bona fide star for the Reds and is currently one of the first names on the team sheet.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch – With Dominik Szoboszlai still nursing a hamstring injury, there’s a vacancy in Liverpool’s midfield which should be filled by the Dutchman.
RW: Harvey Elliott – The Englishman could start down the right flank in the absence of Mohamed Salah.
ST: Darwin Nunez – Nunez scored a wonderful goal during his last visit to the Vitality and should get the nod given Bournemouth’s high defensive line on Sunday.
LW: Luis Diaz – Like Nunez, Diaz will be looking to exploit the Cherries’ aggressive backline on Sunday. The Colombian has endured a profligate Premier League campaign thus far.
