Game Week 5 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Bournemouth

Bournemouth vs Liverpool preview: Reds visit the Vitality seeking consistency as the Cherries build on Europe’s first win.

Milos Kerkez and Andoni Iraola will return to Bournemouth on Sunday. Will the Cherries give them a warm welcome? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Bournemouth vs Liverpool

Vitality Stadium

2:00pm

Liverpool travels to Bournemouth in search of consistency after another stalemate last weekend at home against Fulham. The Lilywhites had lost their three previous league games this season before forcing the Reds to a goalless draw.

Bournemouth went to Europe in midweek and returned with all three points. Their debut in the Europa League is a memorable one, with a win that set them off on a positive note. Now, the Cherries will look to build on that win when Liverpool visits.

The two sides have good reasons to go for this one. Liverpool has drawn three times this season, which means they're already six points off the pace at the top. A win at Bournemouth sees them close the gap on Arsenal and Manchester City.

Liverpool played in midweek too. The Reds beat Tottenham 3-1 in the EFL Cup to advance to the fourth round. The momentum is equal, and this game will be down to who wants it more on the day between Liverpool and Bournemouth.

The players head into the international break after this game. It's a chance to refresh and recalibrate before heading into the deep end of the first half of the season. This is a game no one wants to lose.

Liverpool is expected to line up with the same team that started at home, Fulham. Andoni Iraola seems settled with the idea of Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield, which means there's no place for Ryan Gravenberch in the starting 11.

Alexander Isak could be the main man again on Sunday. The Bournemouth defense will always give you opportunities to score against them with the way they set up, and that can favor the Swede who is beginning to settle into life at Anfield.

James Tavernier is proving to be an important asset to Bournemouth. The English midfielder runs relentlessly and arrives late in the box to chip in goals; Liverpool must be wary of him. Justin Kluivert is another player who could hurt Liverpool on Sunday.

Eli Junior Kroupi, Adli, and a few others are not available for selection, as they continue to heal from injury. The next fixture after the break could see Marco Rose welcome a few names back into the fold, but he will have to prosecute this one without them.

Verdict: Liverpool to win