View: Liverpool predicted XI v Bournemouth – Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz decision made
Arne Slot is expected to name two changes to the Liverpool side that lost last weekend to Nottingham Forest for the clash against Bournemouth on Saturday [21 September].
The Reds bounced back from the 1-0 loss to Forest at Anfield with a resounding 3-1 against AC Milan to begin the Champions League campaign.
Cody Gakpo was sensational at the San Siro and looked more like the forward that ended Euro 2024 as the joint top goalscorer for the competition with the Netherlands.
Liverpool lost early ground in the Premier League title race in the defeat last time out, but have the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways at Anfield with Manchester City hosting Arsenal on Sunday [22 September].
Arne Slot to shake up his Liverpool forward line for Bournemouth
The defence should pick itself against Bournemouth, despite conceding in their last two outings Liverpool kept clean sheets in their opening three fixtures in the league.
Alisson should remain in goal and needs to stay switched on, he has conceded to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic in matches where not much else came his way in the Reds goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up his first assist in the Champions League and should get a chance to get his first league contribution on Saturday. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate scored against AC Milan and their aerial threat from set-pieces will be expected to be utilized again against Bournemouth.
Kostas Tsimikas gave a good account of himself midweek, despite spurning several chances but Andy Robertson is expected to return to the side after a much-needed respite.
Ryan Gravenberch should be the first name on the team sheet after his emergence into the starting eleven and looks rejuvenated under fellow Dutchman Slot. Alexis Mac Allister looked the only Liverpool player capable of making an impact against Forest and his creativity will be needed to penetrate another tough defensive setup.
Dominik Szoboszlai however, couldn’t find a teammate to save his life with the Reds chasing an equaliser on the weekend. The Hungarian made up for it with a goal against AC Milan but that goal will have saved his place in the side with Curtis Jones waiting in the wings.
Mohammed Salah has looked out of sorts in the past two matches and hit the woodwork twice in a frustrating evening in Italy. The Egyptian is expected to continue on the right flank until Federico Chiesa reaches peak fitness and is ready to share the workload.
Diogo Jota has had more than enough chances this season and after another abysmal display in the Champions League, it is time for Slot to go in a different direction. Darwin Nunez looked no better at the San Siro but needs a run of games to find his feet and should get the nod ahead of his Portuguese teammate with the hope of displacing him for the upcoming schedule.
Cody Gakpo produced a man-of-the-match performance against AC Milan after some unexceptional cameos in the Premier League. Slot revealed after the match midweek, that he planned on starting his Dutch compatriot against Forest but his workload on international duty meant Luis Diaz got the nod instead [The Anfield Watch, 18 September]. The boss would be silly not to select Gakpo again for Bournemouth.
In other Liverpool news, a Reds player risks axe by Arne Slot if performances don’t improve.
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