Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 9/10
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Liverpool head to the south coast on Saturday evening for a 5:30pm kickoff against Bournemouth, still searching for their first Premier League victory of the new year.
The visitors arrive buoyed by a commanding 3-0 Champions League triumph over Marseille, while the Cherries were left frustrated after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer in their 1-1 draw with Brighton earlier this week.
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola’s side have endured a torrid run since November, with just one win in their last 14 matches across all competitions—a shock victory over Tottenham. Monday’s draw at Brighton epitomized their struggles: Marcus Tavernier’s penalty looked to have sealed the points, only for teenage sensation Charalampos Kostoulas to strike late with a spectacular bicycle kick.
Currently 15th in the table, Bournemouth remain closer to the top four than the relegation zone in terms of points, but that statistic offers little comfort to supporters, especially after losing Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City.
Their record against Liverpool is even more concerning: the Cherries have suffered 12 defeats in 13 Premier League meetings, conceding 52 goals—their joint-worst tally against any opponent alongside Manchester City.
Team News
Tavernier sustained a hamstring injury against Brighton and faces a spell on the sidelines, joining Will Dennis, Enes Ünal, David Brooks, Tyler Adams, Ben Gannon-Doak, and Justin Kluivert on the injury list.
Amine Adli should recover in time to feature, while new signing Alex Toth—a £10.4m arrival from Hungary—could make the bench.
Liverpool
Despite going 13 matches unbeaten in all competitions, Liverpool’s domestic form has raised eyebrows.
A 1-1 draw with Burnley last weekend marked their fourth consecutive Premier League stalemate, leaving them clinging to fourth place by a single point ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea. Brentford, Newcastle, and Sunderland also lurk within three points, intensifying the pressure on Arne Slot.
The Reds have not endured five straight league draws since 1980, and speculation over Slot’s future resurfaced after the Burnley result.
However, a midweek European win over Marseille helped steady the ship and extended Liverpool’s unbeaten streak—the longest among Europe’s top five leagues. They have avoided defeat in 10 successive Premier League games and have not lost away from home since November’s 3-0 reverse at Manchester City.
Team News
Federico Chiesa missed the Marseille clash after picking up a knock in training, and his availability remains uncertain. Mohamed Salah returned to the starting XI following his Africa Cup of Nations campaign and is expected to make his first Premier League start since November.
Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined, while Ibrahima Konaté should return after missing midweek action for personal reasons.
Head-to-Head
Liverpool’s dominance in this fixture is overwhelming. The Reds have won 12 of 13 Premier League meetings, including a 4-2 victory on the opening day of the season. Bournemouth have shipped 52 goals to Liverpool in the competition—an unwanted record that underscores the gulf between the sides.
The Cherries’ last home win over Liverpool came in December 2016, a dramatic 4-3 triumph, but they have lost every encounter since.
Conclusion
Bournemouth’s recent games have followed a familiar pattern: goals at both ends. That trend is likely to continue against a Liverpool side reinforced by Salah but still searching for rhythm in the league.
Iraola’s attacking approach could play into the visitors’ hands, and while fatigue may be a factor, the Reds should finally break their winless streak and claim their first Premier League victory of 2026.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 9/10
Bookmaker: ZetBet
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