Liverpool supporters are desperate to see their team back up Wednesday’s good performance in Marseille with a first Premier League win of 2026 this weekend.
The Reds have begun the new year with four consecutive league draws, with a trip to Bournemouth up next.
Despite the Cherries’ lowly position in the Premier League table, they are never an easy proposition, and Liverpool will have to turn in another complete display to grab the three points.
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Who’s your XI to beat Bournemouth on Saturday?
Does Salah start again?
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Bournemouth
RTK Predicted XI vs Bournemouth
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In terms of selection, Arne Slot is surely tempted to field the same XI who dismantled Marseille with such composure.
Whatever he decides, one of the easiest choices will surely be to pick the in-form Florian Wirtz. As the German continues to show his quality for Liverpool, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has explained why Saturday’s game could be ideal for Wirtz to shine once again.
Florian Wirtz has to play in unchanged front three
After a slow start to life at the club, Wirtz has been Liverpool’s best player over the past month or so.
Slowly getting to grips with the Premier League, the 22-year-old is now looking like the player Liverpool were convinced to spend more than £100m on last summer.
Florian Wirtz sticks out his tongue in celebration after scoring for Liverpool against Burnley in the Premier League match at Anfield.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
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Wirtz has seemingly mastered the art of playing against a low block recently, but according to Merson, Bournemouth’s more expansive style means the Reds’ No. 7 is likely to have even more room to influence Saturday’s fixture.
“I’d be shocked if Mohamed Salah does not start against Bournemouth. If he doesn’t, Arne Slot is opening a can of worms here,” the pundit writes for Sportskeeda.
“This game could also suit Florian Wirtz. Bournemouth are a team that will let you play, so there will be space for Wirtz to exploit. I’d choose Salah, Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike as the front-three.”
Will Liverpool get their first Premier League win of 2026 vs Bournemouth?
Federico Chiesa celebrates after scoring for Liverpool in the Premier League against Bournemouth at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Could Arne Slot change his forward line?
Having struggled to find where he fits into this Liverpool team initially, Slot has stumbled upon a better formula for using Wirtz over the past six weeks.
On Wednesday, the former Bayer Leverkusen man was operating in a kind of false nine role alongside Dominik Szoboszlai. Ekitike and Salah pulled wide to allow Wirtz the space to create through the middle.
With Bournemouth likely to play a similar style to Marseille, there is no need for Slot to change things this weekend.
Cody Gakpo could potentially come in, but it is more likely that Liverpool’s attacking line-up will be the same, giving room for Wirtz to weave his magic and help the Reds pick up a much-needed three points on the South Coast.
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