Starting XI Prediction: Arne Slot to Make Nine Changes as Liverpool Face Bournemouth | OneFootball

Starting XI Prediction: How will Liverpool Lineup Against AFC Bournemouth?

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday as they travel down to the south coast to face AFC Bournemouth. Usually in this fixture, the Reds would be comfortable favourites but Andoni Iraola’s side come into this one unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League games.

With that being said, Arne Slot has guided Liverpool to an unbeaten run of 17 games with their last defeat coming against Nottingham Forest back in September. Liverpool did suffer a 3-2 defeat to PSV in the UEFA Champions League, but Slot made 9 changes to his starting lineup for that one with the likes of James McConnell and Jayden Danns getting a rare start.

Let’s take a look at our predicted lineup for Saturday’s huge clash…

Four Changes at the Back

After not even travelling to the game during the week, Alisson Becker will return to his position in between the sticks in place of Caoimhin Kelleher. The same applies for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk, who were all fully rested for this one.

Photo: IMAGO

Andy Robertson will be the only defender to keep his place after Wednesday’s defeat and will start in his usual role at left-back. The likes of Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas will provide depth from the bench.

Joe Gomez is also back in training, but I expect this game to come a little bit too early for Liverpool’s longest-serving player.

Verdict: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson

Fully Rotated Midfield

There’s a common theme amongst the predicted Liverpool lineup and that is the return of players that didn’t travel to Eindhoven during the week.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will both come straight back into starting lineup to re-form their partnership at the base of the midfield.

Photo: IMAGO

Further up, Dominik Szoboszlai will also return to the starting lineup as the most advanced midfielder and will play a pivotal role in pressing the Bournemouth back line.

Verdict: Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai

Slot’s Big-Hitters Return

In the front three, both Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will return to the starting lineup after not travelling during the week. Salah will take up his usual role on the right-wing, whilst Diaz will slot back into the false-nine role.

Despite starting in the defeat to PSV, Cody Gakpo will remain in the side and will start on the left-wing as he looks to continue his fine form in front of goal.

Photo: IMAGO

Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa will play a part from the bench, whilst Diogo Jota will likely not make the matchday squad in time after returning for just one training session.

Verdict: Salah, Diaz, Gakpo

Starting XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz, Gakpo

Bench: Kelleher, Quansah, Bradley, Tsimikas, Endo, McConnell, Elliott, Chiesa, Nunez