Andoni Iraola has a difficult decision to make on the left as he decides whether to stick with Tuesday’s top performers or return to his regular team.
Liverpool’s outing in the Carabao Cup provided a much-needed boost of optimism as the squad’s fringe players, combined with touches of class from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai, knocked Tottenham out 3-1.
Now, Iraola could make eight changes as the Reds play their final Premier League match before the three-week international break kicks in.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up.
Liverpool team news vs. Bournemouth
No new fitness problems have cropped up since beating Tottenham
Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley are still out with long-term injuries
Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Leoni will hopefully return to training during the international break
Liverpool’s XI vs. Bournemouth
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker (R) celebrates with the winning goalscorer Alexis Mac Allister after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker (R) celebrates with the winning goalscorer Alexis Mac Allister after the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atlético Madrid at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In some ways, this is the easiest team prediction of the season because we can take pointers from who was rested in midweek.
Virgil van Dijk and Florian Wirtz weren’t in the squad, so they wil start at Dean Court, as should Alisson, Alexander Isak and Jeremy Jacquet.
Victor Munoz was also unused against Tottenham so would come back in as the squad’s best option on the right, leaving Gakpo and Bradley Barcola competing for the left-wing spot.
Liverpool’s midfield pairing of Mac Allister and Trey Nyoni looked the most balanced of all the combinations this season, but Szoboszlai will probably still come back in, replacing the latter.
These are Iraola’s likely choices:
Despite Gakpo’s goal and form, Barcola could start this one after only playing 20 minutes on Tuesday
Ronald Araujo moves from centre-half to right-back as Jeremie Frimpong drops to the bench
Szoboszlai and Mac Allister start in midfield, leaving Nyoni and Ryan Gravenberch as substitutes
This is how Liverpool would line up:
Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Munoz, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak
While Iraola may feel pressure to field Liverpool’s new £123 million winger, Barcola, Gakpo is in better form and arguably deserves his place.
This would mean Barcola is used as an impact substitute or from the right, before heading off to Clairefontaine where he can get back to full sharpness with France.
Nyoni also staked a strong claim to a starting spot with his performance in the cup, and there will be temptation for Iraola to reward the 19-year-old.
In this scenario, Gakpo starts his first league match since the 2-0 victory over Ipswich
Nyoni keeps his place in the team, with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch used as impact substitutions
Milos Kerkez starts his sixth match of the season, having only missed the first 45 minutes vs. Fulham
Here’s how this alternate team would look:
Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Munoz, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Bournemouth have rotated very little this season and you would think this would be the fixture they finally have to change, given their Europa League exploits on Thursday.
Over in San Sebastian, the Cherries beat Real Sociedad 2-1 in their first-ever European game.
The crowd will be up for it at Dean Court, but Liverpool are firm favourites after a comfortable week of build-up for many of the team’s senior players.
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Fulham FC
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Fulham FC
Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Ronald Araújo drinks from a plastic Lucozade bottle before the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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