There was a time when this game would have made the telly only because little, old Bournemouth might, just might, cause an upset in a cup match. Indeed, two years ago they met in the FA Cup at the Goldsands Stadium. The Reds ran out 2-0 winners.
Since then Liverpool have traveled to the south coast twice in the Premier League and once more in the Capital One Cup. They have won on each occasion. You have to go back to the 1967-68 season to the previous clash. Bournemouth held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw.
That result, of course, is not relevant. But it should be an appetizing Sunday afternoon affair. Eddie Howe (the Jurgen Klopp of English football?) has his team playing attractive, free-flowing football. Unfortunately, the perceived wisdom says that’s what may ensure they come unstuck.
Naturally, the Cherries are whopping outsiders. They are 5 at Bet365 with Liverpool no better than 1.8 with BetVictor. The draw is 4.2 at Betfred.
There are far worse 1.8 shots around and we wouldn’t put you off. This is largely because of the style of play of the two team. Liverpool should, wait for it, pick the Cherries off with ease.
That is not meant to be disrespectful. Bournemouth will, as they say, ‘have a go’. Terrific. Good for them. But they will leave gaps in behind for the Reds to swarm into and if there’s one team who exploit holes or space in the Premier League these days, it’s Liverpool.
When sides set up to frustrate them at Anfield, they don’t look so fluent. They laboured against Sunderland last time because, quite rightly, the Black Cats wanted to stifle them. And stifle them they did.
On the road, Liverpool are more dangerous because the home team has to come out and play. They are now seven games into an unbeaten sequence away from home.
Bournemouth do have a hope, however. Liverpool will be without Phil Coutinho for the first time in seven with an ankle injury ruling him out. Everything comes through him and with Adam Lallana returning from a lay-off it may take Klopp’s team time to adjust.
Roberto Firmino has had a niggle as well but should play while Daniel Sturridge is definitely out with a calf problem. If Howe adapts and sets up to annoy and harry (perhaps treat it like an away game?), there is a sniff they could get something here.
To that end, Bournemouth with a 0.5 start on the Asian could be a possible wager at 2.16 (BetVictor). Alternatively draw-Liverpool half-time/full-time looks tasty at 5.25 (BetVictor).
A 2-1 Liverpool win might appeal at 9 with Bet365 because they won both meetings last term by a single goal while 3-1 is another which leaps from the coupon at 15 with the same firm.
Lallana is 3.5 for a goal at any time among Green Listed Bookmakers like Unibet, 32Red, 888Sport). Div Origi, who will step up, is 2.6 with the same oddsmakers.
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