The latest Liverpool team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth
Liverpool are back in Premier League action this weekend, when they take on Bournemouth in an intriguing contest at the Vitality Stadium. The Reds will head into the weekend with their tails up, having beaten Tottenham 3-1 in the Carabao Cup third round in midweek, blasting away any doom and gloom from last weekend’s 0-0 home draw with Fulham.
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The Reds’ hosts on Sunday afternoon will be pretty chipper themselves, having won their first ever European game 2-1 against Real Sociedad. In the Premier League, they’re still without a win after four games, but did manage to earn credible draws against the likes of Everton and, most notably, away to Newcastle United.
Heading into their clash against the Cherries, Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns. There are, however, still some long-term issues to be resolved. Star forward Hugo Ekitike likely won’t be back until late November as he continues his recovery from a ruptured Achilles, and it’s a similar timeframe for Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, both of whom are carrying knee injuries. Versatile forward Federico Chiesa should be back by mid-October.
As preparations continue for Sunday’s game - at a ground where Liverpool have won seven of their last ten meetings - we’ve pulled together the most likely eleven that manager Andoni Iraola will field in an attempt to close the six-point gap on champions and current league leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Fulham: goalkeeper and defence
Virgil van Dijk has been a vital part of Liverpool's defence since 2018placeholder image
Virgil van Dijk has been a vital part of Liverpool's defence since 2018 | Getty Images
Liverpool rested a number of their star players for the midweek win over Spurs. Giorgi Mamardashvili started between the sticks, but he’ll be handing the gloves straight back to number one Alisson. Not that goalkeepers actually share gloves. The Brazil international was heavily linked with a move away last summer, but eventually opted to stay.
Iraola will likely stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation to take on the Cherries. Ronald Araujo has emerged as the new first-choice right-back. He played the full ninety minutes against Spurs at centre-back, but is expected to switch over to the right side this weekend. On the opposite flank, Milos Kerkez should keep his spot over Konstantinos Tsimikas.
In the heart of defence, 35-year-old Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk will be the first name on the teamsheet, as he makes his 380th appearance for the club. Alongside him will be rising star and potential successor Jeremy Jacquet - who we named our Premier League signing of the summer of Manchester City’s £125m Enzo Fernandez raid.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Fulham: midfield and attack
Liverpool's Alexander Isak has been in fine form so far this seasonplaceholder image
Liverpool's Alexander Isak has been in fine form so far this season | Getty Images
In midfield, Iraola has plenty of options. He gave Alexis Mac Allister a full ninety minutes against Spurs, which suggests he may look to play Ryan Gravenberch alongside Hungarian ace Dominik Szoboszlai against Bournemouth. The latter scored a stunning, trademark long-range goal in the win over Spurs.
On the right flank, £123m mega signing Bradley Barcola will come in for Ryo Ngumoha, who will hope to make his competitive debut for England during the upcoming international break after being called up for Thomas Tuchel’s first Nations League squad. Over on the left, Cody Gakpo will likely start again, unless Iraola opts to shift Victor Munoz onto his preferred wing.
Florian Wirtz looks set to reprise his role as Liverpool’s number ten, after being rested in midweek with James McConnell getting a rare start following an uneventful season-long loan at Ajax. Star striker Alexander Isak will lead the line, and look to add to the three Premier League goals he’s scored across the Reds’ opening four fixtures this season.
Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Araujo, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.