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| Image via Independent |
It will be interesting to see whether Jurgen Klopp utilises this fixture to test out the talent of his youth or if he uses the opportunity to notch up his first win as Liverpool manager. A strong starting XI however would still not guarantee Liverpool victory, with Premier League opposition to contend with and a team that are still finding their strengths under the new boss the Reds need to start scoring goals and winning games.
Injuries for Liverpool mean the manager is unable to call upon Rossiter, Gomez, Ings, Henderson and Flanagan. It also looks as though Daniel Sturridge will remain on the sidelines which is a worrying prospect for Liverpool fans. The return of Christian Benteke should go some lengths to relieving the goalscoring problem but he's not a miracle worker.
For Bournemouth, they are without the influential Callum Wilson. Also unavailable are Elphick and Gradel whilst doubts are hanging over Tomlin and Arter, the latter of whom is recovering from a thigh injury.
The last time the two sides met was of course in August this year. Christian Benteke netted an offside goal for the Reds. Prior to this Liverpool met Bournemouth in the League Cup in December 2014, Sterling scored twice in that 3-1 win.
In total, the sides have met on seven occasions, Bournemouth have never recorded a victory but they have picked up two draws.
After the Southampton game, Klopp appealed for calm and it's understandable because at the moment the pressure on his shoulders shouldn't even exist. He can't be fairly judged until he can make this team his own and all this pressure, well it's not exactly helping the players is it?
Poignantly Klopp stated "Football is not a fairytale." And it most certainly isn't but maybe a winning streak doesn't have to be a work of fiction, and what better way to get off the mark than with a win over Bournemouth on Wednesday night?
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P.s. I have to apologise but the Bournemouth match report will be missing from the blog as I'm snowed under at the minute with Uni work and it's just coincided with a particularly busy week. Back to normal service for the Chelsea game though and I can promise you the report should be interesting whatever happens as I've had to make plans to go and watch the game in Liverpool haha.