Liverpool will have an opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points on Sunday when they head south to take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium at 16:30.
The Cherries have been in good form of late, however, and it could prove to be an intriguing clash when the pair clash in Dorset.
- Liverpool and both teams to score
- Cody Gakpo to score at anytime
Reds To Come Away With The Points
Bournemouth have found their feet after a rocky start under Andoni Iraola and have put together an almighty run of form in recent weeks, losing just one of their last nine matches in a run that has included wins to nil over Newcastle and Manchester United as well as a draw with high-flying Aston Villa.
They could shock league leaders Liverpool on Sunday, but history would suggest that is unlikely with the Reds having won nine of the last ten meetings - including twice this season and a 9-0 thrashing last term.
However, Bournemouth are a far stronger side now and with their attacking talent beginning to hit form - especially former Liverpool man Dominic Solanke who was recently named Premier League Player of the Month for December - they should give their visitors a good game.
The Cherries managed to nick a goal against Spurs in their last league match, despite being dominated for large periods of the game, and they look likely to breach a depleted backline on Sunday, even in defeat.
Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Roobertson and Kostas Tsimikas and a makeshift backline for Jurgen Klopp’s side could succumb to the attacking talent Bournemouth possess.
Both teams have scored in 12 of the Reds’ 15 away matches this term and the same outcome should be backed alongside an away victory on Sunday, with Liverpool on a seven-match unbeaten run that has seen them win their last four fixtures.
LIVERPOOL TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Gakpo To Step Up
With Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations Liverpool need their other attackers to step up in the Egyptian’s absence, and Cody Gakpo looks the likeliest of the frontline options to oblige.
The Dutch forward has netted in two of the Reds’ last three games and is likely to lead the line ahead of Darwin Nunez, who has been misfiring at a worrying rate of late, at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth will be without, arguably, their best defender for the visit of the league leaders with Marcos Senesi suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Spurs, suggesting Liverpool may find more space in and around the Cherries’ box than may have been the case if the Argentine centre-back was available.
Gakpo scored in the League Cup win at the Vitality Stadium back in November, could thrive again in another open game and should be backed to score, especially if he gets the nod ahead of Nunez up top.
