Bournemouth will look to capitalize on their first win when they host Liverpool in the EFL Cup. In their previous knockout match, the Cherries defeated Stoke City 2-0. The Reds overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat Leicester City, as has been the norm this season.
Preview (Bournemouth vs. Liverpool)
On Saturday, under-fire head coach Antonio Iraola faced another dreadful South Coast afternoon as Burnley left-backWith a ferocious volley in the eleventh minute, Jack Taylor had Ionut Radu rooted to the spot, but Antoine Semenyo’s cool finish across goal left the basement battle in a tense position. After doing his part to keep Burnley in the match, James Trafford was caught by Philip Billing. Billing’s long-range stunner came just before another absurd VAR incident. It seemed the referees could not decide whether Jay Rodriguez was onside or offside.
As Bournemouth eased some of the mounting pressure on Iraola, Burnley ultimately failed to cross the dreaded red line. As a result, Burnley emerged from the relegation zone into 17th place. It leaves Sheffield United as the only team without a maximum in the 2023–24 Premier League season. Before his first Premier League victory, Iraola had already orchestrated two EFL Cup victories. This had advanced the Cherries to the fourth round for the second consecutive season. Eventual runners-up Newcastle United had ended their run at this point the previous year.
Before giving in to Chelsea’s dominance, Bournemouth had advanced as far as the quarterfinals in both the 2017–18 and 2018–19 seasons. This weekend, they face Manchester City. Pulling off an upset would be ideal preparation for their trip to the treble winners. Shortly after seizing a rebound to end the scoreless match against Nottingham Forest, Diego Jota, an attacker for Liverpool, lifted a Luis Diaz jersey high in celebration of the Colombian striker, whose parents’ horrific abduction in their native country dominated Sunday morning’s sports headlines.
Team News
Adam Smith replaced Max Aarons, who hobbled off the pitch against Burnley. It forced Bournemouth to make a late substitution at right-back. It’s unknown if the former Norwich City player suffered any major injuries. Nevertheless, Iraola will have to make do without Tyler Adams (thigh), Emiliano Marcondes (foot), Ryan Fredericks (calf), and first-choice goalkeeper Neto (foot), whose absence will ensure Radu, an Inter Milan loanee, starts back-to-back. In addition, Lewis Cook faces the second of a three-game suspension for his red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Meanwhile, Marcos Senesi is questionable due to a muscle injury, meaning Chris Mepham might need to play at the back once more.
Regarding Liverpool, Diaz was rightfully left out of the match against Forest after it was learned of his parents’ abduction. Although the Colombian international’s father is still missing, it is unlikely that Klopp will select him for the southbound team. While Ben Doak (muscle), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), and Thiago Alcantara (hip) are all out, Curtis Jones has returned from his protracted domestic suspension and should be helped by the Reds’ inevitable rotation. Luke Chambers, who was substituted for Jarell Quansah in the Toulouse match, may also get his second senior start, and Cody Gakpo, who is back in the game, is anticipated to join the action from the first whistle.
Bournemouth 1 – 3 Liverpool
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