After beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in a midweek League Cup clash, and doing it with a rather rotated side, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola will bring the first-teamers back for Sunday’s Premier League fixture at AFC Bournemouth. Some of the players who started on the bench on Wednesday, guys like Allison, Alexander Isak, Jeremy Jacquet, Bradley Barcola, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, will all be involved from the opening kick here.
What are the basic Liverpool at AFC Bournemouth FYIs?
Kickoff: Sunday, Sept 20, 2pm local, the Vitality Stadium
PL Form: Liverpool DDWD AFC Bournemouth LDDD
PL Standing: Liverpool 8, 6 pts AFC Bournemouth 15th, 3 pts
Google Result Probability: Liverpool victory 44% Draw 25% AFC Bournemouth victory 31%
What is a “Fun Fact” About Liverpool visiting AFC Bournemouth?
Sunday brings a battle of two sides that really have a propensity to stalemate. Both teams have drawn three of their first four Premier League fixtures this season, so if you like ties, well then, this is probably the game for you!
But What is the Main Theme of This One?
The Andoni Iraola Cup, of course! This will be the first time that the Spaniard coaches at the Vitality Stadium from the opposing/visitors touchline.
So this will be an emotional game for the Reds boss, to say the least. You can call this match a true “circle the date on the calendar” affair.
What Did Iraola Say About Conor Bradley?
Iraola provided an update on the injured right back, a couple days ago.
“I think he is not close to training with the team,” he said of the Northern Irishman’s rehabilitation from a knee problem.
“He’s training alone, but he has started touching the ball. Definitely, I want him as quick as possible ready, but it’s a long-term injury.
“I think (Giovanni) Leoni is a little bit ahead of him and still it’s going to take some time for Conor, yes.”
I guess that counts as an update on Leoni as well, so that’s two for one there! Joining Bradley and Leoni in the infirmary is Hugo Ekitike and Fede Chiesa.
So What First XI Should Iraola Select Then?
Alisson Becker; Ronald Araújo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister; Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz, Victor Munoz; Alexander Isak
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.