Liverpool vs. Bournemouth: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Liverpool host Bournemouth in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday evening, with manager Jurgen Klopp seeking to collect his first win in his fourth match in charge.
The German has overseen draws against Tottenham Hotspur, Rubin Kazan and Southampton thus far, and a win against the Cherries would set his side up nicely for their trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
The Reds needed penalties to overcome League Two side Carlisle United in the third round, and Klopp will be keen to ensure his side aren't forced to play extra time just three days before the early kick-off against Chelsea, especially with this being the fourth of five games in 14 days for Liverpool.
Eddie Howe's side also needed penalties to progress to the fourth round, beating Championship side Preston North End after a 2-2 draw after extra time.
The Cherries have lost three of their four league games since then, leaking 13 goals in the process.
These two sides faced each other in the second week of the season, with Christian Benteke's controversial goal proving to be the match winner for the home side.
Match Information
Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT / 3:45 p.m. EST
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
TV Info: Sky Sports 1
Live Stream: Sky Sports (UK) / beIN Sports Connect
Form Lines
Liverpool
Drew 1-1 vs. Southampton
Drew 0-0 vs. Tottenham
Drew 1-1 vs. Everton
Drew 1-1 vs. FC Sion (Europa League)
Won 3-2 vs. Aston Villa
Bournemouth
Lost 5-1 vs. Tottenham
Lost 5-1 vs. Man City
Drew 1-1 vs. Watford
Lost 2-1 vs. Stoke City
Drew 2-2 vs. Preston
Predicted Formations
Klopp is without Daniel Sturridge still, plus long-term absentees Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez, Jon Flanagan and Danny Ings, while James Milner is suspended.
He was expected to start with Benteke and Roberto Firmino in attack after the duo have both come on as substitutes in the last two games, but was dealt another big blow when Benteke was ruled out late on Tuesday with a knee injury, per the Liverpool Echo.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Klopp said he would make changes to the side—having played the same team, except Joe Allen/Lucas Leiva, in his three games so far.
"It’s a very important game, but I know we had three games in the last eight or nine days. So of course we have to change," he said, per Jack Lusby of This Is Anfield.
"We have injured players, we have players with little problems that we don’t want to risk."
That could mean a full debut for 19-year-old midfielder Cameron Brannagan, who Klopp praised in his press conference, and also for young full-back Connor Randall.
Randall, 20, has been an unused sub in each of Klopp's games so far and is the only cover available for full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno. Clyne has played in 13 of the 14 games so far this season and looked decidedly off form on Sunday.
Midfielder Joao Carlos Teixeira, who spent last season on loan at Brighton, is in line for his full debut for the club.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Randall, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Allen, Brannagan, Ibe, Lallana, Teixeira, Firmino..
Bournemouth are similarly injury-ravaged, with the Premier League new boys suffering horrendous luck after new signings Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel were ruled out for the season earlier in the campaign. They've since been joined on the sidelines by captain Tommy Elphick and star striker Callum Wilson.
Howe made several changes in the last round against Preston, including goalkeeper Adam Federici, who will be looking to stake a claim for the regular No.1 spot after Artur Boruc's miserable display against Tottenham at the weekend.
Bournemouth: Federici, Francis, Cargill, Cook, Smith, Atsu, MacDonald, O'Kane, Stanislas, King, Kermorgant.
Players to Watch
Liverpool: Roberto Firmino
Brazilian attacker Firmino is back from the injury he suffered against Carlisle in the last round of this competition and will be looking to flourish under Klopp—who knows all about the former Hoffenheim man from his time in the Bundesliga.
The £29 million summer signing has looked bright in all of his cameos this season, looking for the ball and seeking to make things happen. He will be key to unlocking the visitors' defence.
Bournemouth: Christian Atsu
Bournemouth signed winger Christian Atsu on a season-long loan from Chelsea in the summer, but the Ghana international has had to make do with appearances in the League Cup so far this season. He played against Hartlepool in round two and then Preston in round three.
The former Everton loanee will be looking to impress on his return to Merseyside.
Odds (via Oddschecker)
Liverpool to win: 8/15
Draw: 15/4
Bournemouth to win: 7/1
Prediction
Liverpool 2-0 Bournemouth.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
