10 months ago
166 Chris Sutton has shared his prediction as Bournemouth prepare to host Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will be hoping to keep the pressure on Manchester City. The Reds currently sit top of the table, two points clear of the champions following their win over Newcastle United last weekend.
Liverpool, of course, have not lost in the Premier League since that controversial game against Tottenham back in September. And they have won their last four games in all competitions.
However, Bournemouth have been really impressive over the last few months. Andoni Iraola’s side looked set to endure a campaign of struggle in the early stages. But they have been outstanding of late, and now find themselves nine points clear of the bottom three.
Chris Sutton thinks Liverpool and Bournemouth will draw
With that, Chris Sutton believes that Liverpool may trip up this weekend. Speaking to BBC Sport, he suggested that he could see the Cherries snatching a share of the points this weekend.
“The Reds are without the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold too, which is another big blow, especially for a tricky game like this one,” he said, as he predicted a 1-1 draw.
“I hope Liverpool win, just as I hope Arsenal beat Palace, because I want to see a title race that goes to the wire and City’s form is beginning to look ominous.
“The defending champions have already welcomed one ‘bazooka’ back from injury in Kevin de Bruyne to boost their attack, and they have got another to come when Haaland is fit again.
“This is going to be a real test for Jurgen Klopp’s side, though. Bournemouth lost at Tottenham in their last league game at the turn of the year but they created enough chances to win that game.
“I was sceptical about Cherries boss Andoni Iraola at first, perhaps because Gary O’Neil didn’t deserve to be sacked in the summer, but after a slow start he has shown why you should always give new managers time to get their ideas across.
“Before that defeat at Spurs, Bournemouth were on a run of seven wins and a draw from their previous eight league matches. They are well-organised and will be poised to press Liverpool, and I have a feeling they will get something from this game.”
Important test for the Reds
Liverpool will know how challenging a trip to the Vitality Stadium can be. Obviously, it was their visit to the same ground last season which saw them beaten 1-0 – the week after tearing Manchester United apart and winning 7-0 at Anfield.
And as Sutton suggests, they will be without Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold for the game. So that will make life a lot more difficult.
But Liverpool are not going to be able to sustain their title challenge if they cannot win without Salah and Alexander-Arnold. So it would be a real statement if they can secure the three points against Bournemouth.
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