Andoni Iraola returns to Bournemouth with Liverpool on Sunday, with Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton unable to agree on their predictions for the Reds' latest Premier League game
Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer has made his prediction for Liverpool's game against Bournemouth
Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton have disagreed on their predictions for Liverpool’s trip to Bournemouth today - although both expect the Reds to drop points as a first defeat of the season is anticipated.
Andoni Iraola returns to his old stomping ground as he leads Liverpool into its final game before the international break. Although he has made an unbeaten start as the Reds’ head coach, he has only managed to pick up one win from his four league games in charge so far.
Having made 10 changes for the Carabao Cup win over Tottenham in midweek, Iraola will have plenty to think about for his return to the Vitality Stadium, where his old side is still looking for a first league win.
The Cherries though are on a high after claiming a first ever European win, having beaten Real Sociedad on their Europa League debut in midweek, and Newcastle and England legend Shearer is backing them to get one over on their old manager.
Predicting a win for Bournemouth, Shearer told Betfair: “Iraola is going back to his old stomping ground, where he had an amazing season last season with Bournemouth, and they were brilliant at Newcastle when I watched them the other week, albeit they ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes.
“I think I'm going to go for home win, I am not convinced by Liverpool defensively and I like the way Bournemouth play and go after teams, and I think they'll do the same to Liverpool. So, I'm going to go home win.
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“I think defensively Liverpool have yet to convince me. I know they drew at home last week 0-0 and were poor. Obviously, they won the game on Tuesday scoring three. But I think defensively for me they've been really poor. And that's not just the back four. I think that's the midfield too as well in terms of lack of protection.”
Shearer’s former strike partner Sutton didn’t quite go so far as to predict a defeat for Liverpool today, although he still wasn’t confident enough to back the Reds for victory on the south coast.
“I am not convinced by Liverpool at all after covering them for Radio 5 Live last week - I thought Fulham were the better side in their 0-0 draw at Anfield,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton is not confident about Liverpool's chances at Bournemouth(Image: Getty)
“Andoni Iraola's side did not flow in the final third, certainly not in the way his Bournemouth team did last season.
“I don't think the Reds players are quite in sync with what Iraola is asking them to do in terms of their press either, and Fulham played through them with ease at times.
“Marco Rose is an attacking manager so if Liverpool don't buck their ideas up then Bournemouth are going to do the same, and Iraola could end up losing on his return to his former club.
“The one thing in Iraola's favour is that Bournemouth seem to be finding a way to draw games that they should win, so that is the result I am going with even though though I quite fancy the Cherries to take all three points.”