Virgil van Dijk to return, nine changes – Liverpool predicted XI v Bournemouth
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is expected to make nine changes to his starting line-up for the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Reds travel to the Vitality Stadium on 1 February as they return to Premier League action after the 3-2 defeat against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alexis Mac Allister are predicted to return for the clash with the in-form Cherries after missing the defeat in Holland.
Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota, and Curtis Jones are expected to miss the contest through injury.
Liverpool to make nine changes for Bournemouth clash
Alisson is expected to return between the sticks as Caoimhin Kelleher conceded three goals and was accurate with just 30 per cent of his ten long passes in Eindhoven (Fotmob).
Alexander-Arnold is predicted to return on the right-hand side of defence to replace Conor Bradley, who recorded a 74 per cent pass completion and only one pass into the final third against the Dutch side.
Jarell Quansah might make way for Ibrahima Konate despite recording a 97 per cent pass accuracy and making seven recoveries on Wednesday.
Van Dijk is expected to return to captain the Reds, the 33-year-old completed 100 per cent of his two ground duels and 80 per cent of his five aerial duels against Ipswich last Saturday (25 January).
Andy Robertson is predicted to return to a familiar left-back role after featuring as a makeshift centre-back against the Dutch team, he created two chances and won two of three ground duels for a 67 per cent success rate.
Wataru Endo made an error that led to a goal and won just one of his three attempted tackles for a 33 per cent success rate and is expected to be replaced by Ryan Gravenberch as a result.
Mac Allister might return in the place of James McConnell, who impressed in the loss as he made nine passes into the final third and won all four tackles that he attempted for a 100 per cent success rate.
Harvey Elliott scored in the midweek clash but failed to create a chance and recorded a 77 per cent pass completion so is predicted to be replaced by Dominik Szoboszlai.
Three changes in attack
Salah is expected to return on the right-hand side to replace Federico Chiesa, who completed the most dribbles with three and won a penalty with his determination to get to the ball first against the Eindhoven side.
Luis Diaz may be given the nod upfront as Jota is still injured and Darwin Nunez missed Wednesday’s loss with illness.
Cody Gakpo is predicted to retain his spot on the left after scoring a penalty in the defeat, he has 14 goals in his last 20 matches for the Anfield outfit.
It will be a tough contest for the Reds on Saturday as their opponents are on a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions and have not lost since 23 November.
However, Slot has given his charges the best chance for victory by resting the majority of his starters for the dead rubber on Wednesday to be fresh for the clash at the Vitality Stadium.
In other Liverpool news, Jorrel Hato has responded to links with a transfer to Anfield after he was spotted there last Saturday.
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