The Reds make the long old trip down south tomorrow as they prepare to face Championship side Bournemouth in the quarter final of the league cup. After suffering a 3-0 loss at the hands of Manchester United at the weekend and with rumours of dressing room instability Brendan Rodgers could do with a win tomorrow night.
Injuries for Liverpool mean they are now too without Glen Johnson. Rodgers is expected to play Brad Jones between the sticks once again and after a good second half performance it is assumed Mario Balotelli will get a start up front. Bournemouth are in relatively good shape injury wise with manager Eddie Howe able to call upon a strong starting line up.
Bournemouth currently find themselves top of the Championship after a cracking run of form. The Southerners have not lost a match in their last 10 league games. Liverpool on the other hand find themselves 11th in the Premier League. Form over the Reds' last ten games reads: W4 D2 L4.
The two sides met not so long ago, back in January this year Brendan Rodgers' side drew Bournemouth in the FA Cup. Victor Moses and Daniel Sturridge were on the score street that day. Prior to this the sides had last met in January 1968 again in the FA Cup. After the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw the second leg was played at Anfield where Liverpool were victorious in a 4-1 win.
Stat Sandwich
- In seven seasons, this is just the second time that Liverpool have reached the quarter finals of the league cup.
- It is the first time Bournemouth have ever appeared in the quarter finals of this competition.
- Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet away from home in 11 games this season.
I think tomorrow is going to be a tough game for the Reds, even if Liverpool were on top form, Bournemouth are a very good side and will not be phased one bit by their visitors. I fully expect Bournemouth to score and as many of you tweeted in, I can see this one being a draw and then who knows!
I asked you for your score predictions and here are a few of the tweets I received:
@LFCKirstyLFC 1-1. Ours will be scored by 'own goal' they will then beat us 5-0 penalties
— Tim McFarlane (@tim_mcf1) December 16, 2014
@LFCKirstyLFC 2-1 LFC we won't play particularly well but I think we will nick it in the end. Balotelli and Markovic to score
— Muhammad Usama (@OnlyEmreCan) December 16, 2014
@LFCKirstyLFC 0-0 followed by penalties
— Michael (@redplanet12) December 16, 2014
Enjoy the match folks, wherever you are watching!