Liverpool take on Bournemouth at Anfield tomorrow with another chance to get their first three points of the season.
The Reds desperately need a win to kick-start their season following three disappointing results.
Bournemouth will sense a chance having seen Liverpool fail to beat both Fulham and Crystal Palace already.
Jurgen Klopp’s had some thinking to do since Monday night’s shambles at Old Trafford. Here’s the team we think he’ll go with to put things right against the Cherries.
Defence
No questions about the goalkeeper. Alisson Becker hasn’t been in the most sparkling form at the start of the season, but neither has anyone else in red. He’s vital to Liverpool and will start again tomorrow.
As will Trent Alexander-Arnold. The full-back has been dragged through the mud for his defending recently, but he should see plenty of the ball here.
Joining him in defence will be Joe Gomez and Virgil Van Dijk. If everyone else wasn’t injured, one or both may have been dropped after Monday’s performances. They’ll need to be better at Anfield.
At left-back, we think Klopp will mix it up. Andy Robertson hasn’t been at his best and has been replaced by Kostas Tsimikas in both of the previous two games. With a game mid-week this time, Tsimikas should get his first start tomorrow.
Midfield
Despite a lack of numbers, Liverpool’s midfield is difficult to predict right now. Few would have gone with James Milner to begin the game at Old Trafford, but that’s what happened.
We don’t think Milner will be retained here, though. Instead, we think Klopp will give Fabio Carvalho a much-deserved first start at Liverpool.
The youngster was a bright spark against United and gives The Reds something different. He should be given the chance to show why Harvey Elliott called him ‘special’ via The Athletic.
Joining Carvalho will be his mate Elliott, who should be persisted with in his right-sided slot. Sitting behind those two will be Fabinho, who simply has to play after being dropped on Monday.
Attack
Liverpool’s attack is a straightforward choice for tomorrow. Although he didn’t cover himself in glory against United, Roberto Firmino will still start tomorrow’s game.
Mohamed Salah was inevitably on the score sheet at Old Trafford and will be hunting for more against another of his favourite opposition.
Meanwhile, Luis Diaz will continue his role as Liverpool’s first-choice on the left wing. We’ll need to see a bit more from the Colombian but he’s always capable of delivering something special.
Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Bournemouth: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Elliott, Carvalho; Salah, Firmino, Diaz
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