Arne Slot has continued to leave Andy Robertson on the bench amid rumours he is on the way out at Liverpool.
Reports surfaced on Friday claiming that the left-back could leave for Tottenham Hotspur before the end of the January transfer window.
With a tough game to prepare for on Saturday, it was noise that Slot did not perhaps need, and all eyes were on whether he would bring Robertson back into the starting XI.
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Any surprises for the Bournemouth starting XI?
Joe Gomez pictured in action during Liverpool's Carabao Cup match against Southampton at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
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But the Scot has been left out consistently in the Premier League, and Slot chose to pick Milos Kerkez once again as he makes a first return to his former side.
Elsewhere there is another start for Mohamed Salah, who will be hoping to build on a slightly underwhelming Liverpool return in midweek.
Joe Gomez continues at centre-back for Liverpool vs Bournemouth
As well as those over Robertson and Salah, Slot had a big decision to make at centre-back on Saturday, as he weighed up whether Joe Gomez could go again.
Gomez was called in for Wednesday’s win over Marseille after Ibrahima Konate’s father sadly passed away.
Mohamed Salah during Olympique de Marseille v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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With Konate still absent, Liverpool’s No. 2 will join Virgil van Dijk in a backline also containing Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and, of course, Alisson Becker.
There is one change from the XI which won in Marseille, as Cody Gakpo comes in for Hugo Ekitike, while it remains to be seen whether Slot is looking to employ the same ‘box midfield’ formation that worked so well in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, there is no place on the bench for Federico Chiesa, who was a doubt for the fixture having also missed the trip to Marseille.
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