Bournemouth vs. Liverpool: How the Reds Should Line Up in Capital One Cup Game

Liverpool travel to AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday to take on Eddie Howe's Championship table-toppers in a Capital One Cup quarter-final which, if lost, would mount yet more pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers.

After the weekend's 3-0 loss away to top-four rivals Manchester United, Rodgers' stock is at an all-time Merseyside low.

Securing a coveted cup semi-final spot would go some way to repairing these damages, however, and as such, Rodgers' team selection against Bournemouth is hugely important.

Liverpool actually last played Bournemouth just last season in a 2-0 away FA Cup victory, but the side on that day, which featured the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and the now-departed Martin Kelly and Victor Moses, will differ greatly from Rodgers' selection on Wednesday.

After experimenting with his formation on Sunday, Rodgers will likely return to his ill-trusted 4-2-3-1.

So how will the Reds line up against Bournemouth in Wednesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final?

Goalkeeper

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With previous first-choice Simon Mignolet dropped by Rodgers for "an indefinite period," per BBC Sport, Liverpool's goalkeeping spot will go once more to Brad Jones.

Rodgers' confirmed as much in his post-match comments, claiming: "Brad's a very capable keeper so he was always going to play in the Bournemouth game anyway."

Jones started in Liverpool's last Capital One Cup game, a 2-1 victory over Swansea City, and he is a fine goalkeeper for this level.

Although far from the solution to Rodgers' goalkeeping woes, Jones should provide an able performance against Bournemouth.

Possible goalkeeper: Jones

Defence

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While the goalkeeper will remain the same, a fair measure of rotation is expected in this cup tie, and with Liverpool's defence particularly suffering against United, Rodgers is likely to start with his back line.

At right-back, after Glen Johnson left the field with injury on Sunday, 20-year-old Spaniard Javier Manquillo will likely come in to cover. Fortunately, Manquillo is Rodgers' most capable defensive full-back, and this rotation will benefit Liverpool.

On the opposite flank, Jose Enrique could replace Alberto Moreno at left-back, after the former Sevilla man struggled at Old Trafford.

Dejan Lovren was grievously culpable for Robin van Persie's goal on Sunday and, despite scoring the winner for the Reds in their last Capital One Cup game, should sit out here.

Expect Kolo Toure to come in at centre-back, partnering the ever-present Martin Skrtel.

Mamadou Sakho, left out of the squad on Sunday, will likely continue his Rodgers-imposed Liverpool exile, in what represents a bizarre managerial turn.

Possible back four: Manquillo, Skrtel, Toure, Enrique

Midfield

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With one eye likely on the Reds' upcoming Premier League clash with Arsenal, Rodgers could use this opportunity to rest midfielder Steven Gerrard.

Forming the base of the midfield in this 4-2-3-1 formation, Lucas Leiva could replace the Liverpool captain alongside Jordan Henderson (who will take the armband).

Emre Can, a £10 million summer signing, also has a chance of starting after a long spell on the Liverpool bench, but he will likely resume his substitute's role.

Despite needing a rest himself, expect teenage star Raheem Sterling to continue his berth in the Liverpool first team. At this stage, Rodgers can barely afford to omit his most effective attacker; Sterling's combined tally of seven goals and assists in the league this season is more than any other Liverpool player.

Joining Sterling in the advanced midfield area should be former Bournemouth academy player Adam Lallana, who was unfairly replaced at half-time against United.

This level of opposition may allow Rodgers to experiment with one of his most impressive performers in the past two games: Lazar Markovic.

Despite being sent off 15 minutes into his substitute appearance in the midweek Champions League draw with FC Basel, Markovic was one of Liverpool's best performers, and this continued with another impressive cameo on Sunday.

This could be the perfect opportunity for Markovic to prove himself to Rodgers.

Possible midfield: Lucas, Henderson; Sterling, Lallana, Markovic

Attack

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After being rested on Sunday, following a strenuous run of appearances in Rodgers' first team, England striker Rickie Lambert could come in for the Reds against Bournemouth.

Lambert impressed during this spell, scoring against both Crystal Palace and PFC Ludogorets Razgrad.

Despite Mario Balotelli successfully returning to fitness this week, with a second-half appearance against United as evidence of this, Lambert is the best option for Rodgers when it comes to deploying a lone striker.

With Bournemouth particularly susceptible to aerial prowess, Lambert could capitalise on the weakness of the likes of Tommy Elphick.

Familiar with the tenacity of lower-league opposition, Lambert will be an ideal option for the Reds on Wednesday.

Possible attack: Lambert

Overall

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Overall, Rodgers should have confidence that this team selection has enough power to dominate Liverpool's Championship-level opponents.

However, Liverpool would be wise to focus on the pace and the attacking prowess of wingers Matt Ritchie and Marc Pugh and full-backs Simon Francis and Charlie Daniels, as well as top goalscorer Callum Wilson in attack.

In desperate need of a victory, Rodgers must push for a top-quality performance from his side on Wednesday.

Possible starting XI: Jones; Manquillo, Skrtel, Toure, Enrique; Lucas, Henderson; Sterling, Lallana, Markovic; Lambert.

Possible subs: Mignolet, Moreno, Lovren, Gerrard, Allen, Coutinho, Balotelli

Statistics via WhoScored.com.

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