Bournemouth vs Liverpool Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Liverpool will play Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in the EFL Cup fourth round in an attempt to secure a trip to the quarterfinals.

Liverpool is riding high after three straight victories going into their match against Bournemouth.

And they should feel very optimistic about securing a victory on Wednesday at Vitality Stadium.

However, Bournemouth’s 2-1 victory over Burnley in the Premier League put a stop to the lengthy losing run.

Now, the Cherries will want to defeat the Merseyside club at home in a way that will boost morale.

Liverpool has defeated the Cherries eight times in their last nine matches, and they have an excellent head-to-head record against them.

Liverpool will be the favorites because they undoubtedly have the superior team in this match.

It remains to be seen if the away team can build on their stellar record versus Bournemouth and sustain their current outstanding run of play.

In advance of the most recent meeting between the two parties, The Hard Tackle examines the interaction in greater detail.

Team News & Tactics

Bournemouth

The home side will be without the services of Emiliano Marcondes, Tyler Adams, Ryan Fredericks, and Neto because of injuries.

Lewis Cook is serving the second of his three-match suspension. Bournemouth are likely to shape up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Andrei Radu in goal.

Adam Smith and Milos Kerkez will start as the full-backs here, and the two players will look to dig deep and help out the central defenders.

Illia Zabarnyi will start in central defence alongside Chris Mepham.

In the middle of the park, Joe Rothwell will start alongside Philip Billing.

The two players will look to protect the central defenders and create counter-attacking opportunities.

Dango Ouattara and Luis Sinisterra will start as the wingers here.

The two players will look to hit Liverpool on the break with their pace and flair.

Dominic Solanke will lead the line for the home side, with Antoine Semenyo behind him in the central attacking midfield role.

Liverpool

Liverpool will be the services of Ben Doak, Andrew Robertson, Thiago Alcantara, and Stefan Bajetic because of their respective injuries.

Meanwhile, Luis Diaz is unlikely to be involved because of personal reasons.

The Reds are likely to rotate their side for this game, and Caoimhin Kelleher is set to start in goal, with the team lining up in a 4-3-3 formation.

 Joe Gomez and Luke Chambers are likely to be deployed as the full-backs. Robertson is sidelined with an injury.

So, Jurgen Klopp is likely to protect Kostas Tsimikas here.

Joel Matip will start in central defence alongside Jarrell Quansah.

Wataru Endo will start as the central defensive midfielder, and he will look to break up the opposition attacks and protect the defensive unit.

Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will add creativity and control alongside him.

 Darwin Nunez is likely to lead the line for Liverpool here, with Mohamed Salah on the right and Cody Gakpo on the left.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Matip, Quansah, Chambers; Elliott, Endo, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

The Egyptian international is our key player to watch out for. The 31-year-old has been in phenomenal form for Liverpool in recent weeks, scoring six goals in his last four outings for the Premier League side.

Bournemouth’s defensive vulnerabilities are well known, and Salah has the quality to expose them with his goalscoring ability and creativity in the final third.

He will look to break down the opposition defence and get on the score sheet himself as well.

Prediction

Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool

Despite the fact that Liverpool will rotate their team here, they should have enough quality to grind out a win.

Bournemouth are struggling with a lack of confidence and momentum right now. The win over Burnley will certainly give them some positivity heading into this game.

But the gulf in class and the quality in depth between the two sides is immense. Liverpool have plenty of options on the bench to change the game if needed and a narrow 2-1 away win is on the cards for Jurgen Klopp’s men.