Premier League 2019-20, Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Cherries in danger of suffering a demolition

Bar the draw against Manchester United, Liverpool’s season so far has been nearly perfect. With 14 wins out of 15, The Reds have put together an impressive 11-point lead over the defending champions Manchester City, as well as an eight-point lead over the second-placed Leicester.

After a glorious Anfield night where Liverpool inflicted a heavy defeat on neighbors Everton, Jurgen Klopp’s men travel to the Vitality Stadium to face the 14th-placed Bournemouth. The hosts would be hoping to bounce from the string of defeats they’ve suffered lately.

As usual with every Liverpool game, there are quite a few talking points ahead of the match.

#1 The juggernaut is in full force after the Derby Demolition

Divock Origi was the hero for Liverpool against Everton

The hero against Barcelona last year, Divock Origi found the net twice against Everton. Xherdan Shaqiri, Gini Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane also added to the scoresheet to complete the Derby Demolition.

On the back of such a spectacular performance, the Reds would be raring to go against the Cherries this Saturday. The 5-2 win over Everton would've sent out a strong message to all the Premier League teams, and shown to Manchester City and Leicester in particular that they have to step up considerably if they want to challenge for the title.

Eddie Howe’s men are not expected to cause much trouble to Jurgen Klopp’s side, but you can bet the league leaders are on a mission to establish their superiority.

#2 Squad rotation not a problem anymore

Long-time absentee Shaqiri was on the scoresheet against Everton

Klopp raised a few eyebrows by not adding much to the squad in August; there were questions around the squad depth of the Reds. But the German proved his doubters wrong on Wednesday as he came up with five changes against Everton and still won comfortably.

With a persistent ankle problem, Mohamed Salah was given a break along with the injured Fabinho. The suspended goalkeeper Alisson Becker, captain Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino also missed the game.

But up stepped Origi, Shaqiri, Adam Lallana, James Milner and Adrian, with both Origi and Shaqiri ending up on the scoresheet.

December being a busy period, Klopp is expected to make more changes to the lineup - especially with an important Champions League fixture looming over their heads. Now that Origi and Shaqiri have both gotten a successful run, Klopp might place his trust in them again as well as in Naby Keita.

The current league leaders would be happy that squad rotation is no longer a problem for them.

#3 Injuries aplenty for both teams

Alisson Becker is set to return to the starting XI after his one-match suspension

While Liverpool have been cruising lately, Bournemouth find themselves in a difficult position; they have lost their last four games, including a home game against Wolves.

The match against Liverpool couldn’t have come at a worse time for Eddie Howe’s struggling team. And to add to that, they will be without their top scorer Harry Wilson this Saturday.

Along with Wilson, Bournemouth will also be missing David Brooks, Junior Stanislas, Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith, while they are still uncertain about Steve Cook, Joshua King, Andrew Surman and Lloyd Kelly. However, they can count on ex-Liverpool man Dominic Solanke as well as Ryan Fraser, who has been linked to Liverpool lately.

Liverpool, on the other hand, will be without Joel Matip, Fabinho and Nathaniel Clyne due to injury, while welcoming back suspended Alisson in the starting XI again. Salah and Firmino are expected to start too.

With Klopp’s squad rotation proving a success and his stars being well-rested, there could be a lot of trouble for Bournemouth on Saturday.

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