Liverpool head to Bournemouth on Saturday hoping to collect their first Premier League win of 2026.
The Reds have put together an underwhelming run of four consecutive draws to kick off the new year and must improve to put an end to that on the South Coast.
Thankfully, there were some better signs in midweek as Liverpool delivered arguably their best display of the season to beat Marseille.
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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
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The eventual 3-0 scoreline did not flatter Arne Slot‘s team and that should factor into his decision-making when putting together the starting XI against Bournemouth.
As he aims for what would be a morale-boosting win, three points for Liverpool could rest on Slot going unchanged.
Liverpool should stick with what works vs Bournemouth
Liverpool undoubtedly benefited from having Mohamed Salah back and available for Wednesday’s game, and even though he was not at his absolute best, the Egyptian still made an impact.
His return from international duty allowed Slot to play him in a wide front two with Hugo Ekitike, leaving Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai to operate centrally as advanced number 10s.
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister battles Bournemouth's Alex Scott for the ball during the Premier League match at Anfield
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
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This formation may not work against the low-block teams Liverpool feel to be facing on a regular basis in the Premier League, but Bournemouth are more similar in style to Marseille than, say, Burnley.
Andoni Iraola’s team will look to attack Liverpool where possible, and that should leave spaces for the likes of Wirtz, Salah and Ekitike to thrive in.
Continuity is something that has been badly lacking in a lot of Slot’s selections so far this season, but after stumbling on a formation which suits what he has available right now, he has to go with the same XI.
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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One change could be made in midfield
Although it would be beneficial for Liverpool to keep things constant here, that does not mean Slot will do that.
The Dutchman will be mindful that his team play again in midweek when they will aim to complete their Champions League job against Qarabag.
As a result, there is a chance he changes things slightly. If that happens, it should be a straight personnel switch rather than a tactical one, leaving Liverpool in the same set-up which worked so well against Marseille.
That could mean a change in defence, where Joe Gomez could drop out depending on Ibrahima Konate’s availability and state of mind, or in midfield where Curtis Jones would feel like the most likely contender to step in.
Either of these changes would not alter too much in Liverpool’s approach, but if he wants to give his team the best chance of winning Saturday’s match, Slot must stick with his latest new system.
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