Liverpool are lastly again at Anfield, albeit an unfinished Anfield, as they host Bournemouth of their first house recreation of the brand new Premier League season.
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth
Premier League (2) | Anfield
August 19, 2023 | 3pm (BST)
Jurgen Klopp‘s aspect acquired the brand new marketing campaign underway with some extent at Stamford Bridge and now it’s time for house comforts as Liverpool return to Anfield.
Bournemouth are the guests and everyone knows what occurred on their final go to, however may lightning actually strike the identical place twice?
Listed here are 10 issues that you must know forward of Liverpool’s first recreation again at Anfield.
1. Solely 51,000 at Anfield
The primary house recreation of the season was set to see over 60,000 at Anfield, however these plans had been delayed a while in the past and the attendance will likely be diminished to round 51,000.
Solely the decrease tier of the Anfield Street Stand will likely be open on Saturday, and that would stay the case for a while after the development firm liable for the stand filed for administration.
It’s a important setback for the membership however all Jurgen, his gamers and the followers can give attention to is securing their first three factors of the marketing campaign.
2. Welcome, Endo!
It was a reputation from left-field and issues moved rapidly after the preliminary information broke, with Wataru Endo changing into the third signing of the summer season on Friday.
The defensive midfielder may also be deployed at centre-back and with expertise and management qualities in abundance, the 30-year-old represents a shrewd addition to the squad.
He has been registered with the Premier League, however it’s nonetheless unclear whether or not he has been granted a piece allow in time to be obtainable within the matchday squad.
If he’s obtainable, count on him to exchange James McConnell on the bench.
3. Klopp upbeat
Most of Klopp’s press convention on Friday focussed on Endo’s arrival and potential of additional transfers.
The boss insisted a number of instances how blissful he’s with the Japan captain’s signing and the switch window on the whole for Liverpool.
“I sit right here and I’m actually pleased with the switch window on this second, our switch window,” he stated.
“I do know what occurred final week, I understand how soccer followers are, and I do know they would favor to herald a participant who’s £110 million or £150 million, and that your membership can try this.
“That’s form of good however in the long run, the pitch is similar measurement, the participant won’t develop with the cash he prices, it’s reasonably the opposite approach round.”
4. Group information for Liverpool
Curtis Jones is predicted to take a seat this one out with an ankle problem, whereas neither Thiago or Stefan Bajcetic are absolutely match to start out video games.
Klopp has selections up entrance with Darwin Nunez an possibility there, however an unchanged XI appears probably.
5. Bournemouth will likely be aggressive
With Gary O’Neil leaving on the finish of final season, Bournemouth are into unknown territory.
New supervisor Andoni Iraola has gained plaudits in Spain for guiding perennial strugglers Rayo Vallecano to mid-table standing in La Liga.
How this success will translate to the Premier League stays to be seen. He has already said he expects his Bournemouth staff to be aggressive reasonably than sit off.
The Cherries have made a few thrilling signings over the summer season with Justin Kluivert arriving from Roma and thrilling younger midfielder, Alex Scott, signing for £25 million from Bristol Metropolis.
6. Predicted lineup
A fixture like this might be a contender for rotation usually. Nevertheless, this early within the season Klopp will intention for consistency in his staff choice.
Whereas his beginning XI choice meant Liverpool had been uncovered on the left final weekend, it shouldn’t be as a lot of a problem taking part in at Anfield.
Although Harvey Elliott staked a declare to play with a robust efficiency off the bench towards Chelsea, we’d count on Liverpool to stay unchanged for this one.
Predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Salah, Jota, Diaz
7. Klopp admits possession vs. Chelsea was “an absolute joke”
Liverpool had simply 35 % possession at Stamford Bridge final week – their worst below Klopp since a 4-1 defeat at Tottenham in 2018.
“Thirty-five % possession is an absolute joke,” admitted Klopp on Friday. “It mustn’t occur.”
Explaining it, he highlighted how “it occurred as a result of we had been an excessive amount of in a rush with the ball.”
Klopp and everybody else will likely be anticipating a lot better at house.
8. Do you know?
Final season’s 9-0 house win was the joint highest top-flight victory in Liverpool’s historical past, matching the Reds’ well-known 9-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace in 1989.
At Anfield, the Reds have performed Bournemouth 9 instances, profitable eight and drawing one.
In the meantime, Alexander-Arnold will make his two hundredth Premier League look for Liverpool. Of the present squad, solely Salah (219) has performed extra instances for the Reds within the league.
Liverpool’s first penalty award of the 2022/23 league marketing campaign got here towards Bournemouth, with Salah lacking from the spot within the defeat in March!
9. Paul Tierney is the VAR…
There’s a new face taking cost of this contest for Liverpool, with Thomas Bramall taking up the tasks as referee. It’s his first in command of the Reds.
The massive story, although, is Paul Tierney, the official concerned in a controversial conflict with Klopp final season, is lead VAR, he’s assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis.
That title might sound acquainted, and it’s. He’s the assistant who elbowed Andy Robertson at half-time in the course of the draw with Arsenal in April.
This needs to be enjoyable.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth just isn’t reside on TV within the UK because the 3pm blackout remains to be in impact.
That leaves TIA’s matchday reside weblog as the very best place to maintain updated, Sam Millne will likely be offering all of the updates because the Reds return to Anfield.
Into these, Liverpool.
