The ECHO's Liverpool writers pick their XIs for Sunday's trip to Bournemouth as the unbeaten Reds look to sign off for the international break with a second Premier League win
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur
Alexander Isak has discussed Bradley Barcola's pace at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images))
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Liverpool will look to extend their unbeaten start to the season to seven games when Andoni Iraola visits Bournemouth for the first time since leaving them at the end of May.
It's set to be an emotional day for the Reds' head coach back at the Vitality today, but it was encouraging to hear him speak of showing a "ruthless" side to his team for the game when previewing it on Friday.
The ECHO's Liverpool writers, Paul Gorst and Ian Doyle, will also be in attendance on the day to provide our usual match-day mix of content.
From the live blog, post-match verdict and analysis through to the reaction of Iraola and some of his players - we will have you covered. As always.
But what about the team selection itself? Our writers have picked theirs for the final game of September before the extended international break.
Paul Gorst
Is it too dramatic to say the result of this game will frame the entire narrative around Liverpool's start under Andoni Iraola?
Either way, having rested a few of the big hitters on Tuesday night, I expect them all to return to the team today.
That means Alisson Becker dislodges Giorgi Mamardashvili and Ronald Araujo shuffles over to the right side as Virgil van Dijk comes back in alongside Jeremy Jacquet at centre-half. Milos Kerkez starts at left-back.
Alexis Mac Allister has to keep his place in the middle, so it's a three-man battle between Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and the outsider, Trey Nyoni. The latter has done more than enough to suggest he should be given the nod here, but I am going to give Szoboszlai the shirt.
Florian Wirtz is restored to the side after an evening off on Tuesday. He will be entrusted to pick the locks and supply his teammates with the big chances.
Cody Gakpo starts wide right for me and Bradley Barcola can flank the left side. The pair can switch throughout, with Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz waiting in the wings. Alexander Isak leads the line.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.
Ian Doyle
It'll be an emotional occasion for more than one person when Liverpool visit Bournemouth.
What, though, is Reds boss Andoni Iraola to do against his former club?
After wholesale changes in midweek, expect almost as many again on the South Coast. Not least in goal where, despite a fine display from Giorgi Mamardashvili, Alisson Becker is back between the sticks.
Milos Kerkez can continue at left-back, while Jeremy Jacquet and skipper Virgil van Dijk return at centre-back. Ronald Araujo moves across to right-back again for this one.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister continues at the base with Dominik Szoboszlai alongside him, and Florian Wirtz is the number 10.
And up top, Cody Gakpo stays in on the left, with Alexander Isak down the middle and Victor Munoz starting on the right.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Munoz, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Richard Garnett
Liverpool's fringe stars sent out a clear message with their performance against Tottenham in mid-week, but will that disrupt Andoni Iraola's plan here? I think it might.
With Alisson back in goal, Ronald Araujo returns to right-back so Jeremy Jacquet can continue his partnership with Virgil van Dijk in the middle of defence. Milos Kerkez is left-back.
In midfield, I'm giving the nod to the impressive Trey Nyoni alongside Alexis Mac Allister. Dominik Szoboszlai is pushed into the No. 10 position and Florian Wirtz will have to bide his time on the bench.
Up top, Bradley Barcola can leg it down the left, with Cody Gakpo taking up a position on the right. Alexander Isak leads the line in what will be a tough examination for Iraola's side.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Szoboszlai, Barcola; Isak.