Prediction news: Liverpool vs Bournemouth

Liverpool will host AC Bournemouth at the Anfield satdium to cap of the premier league matches of gameweek 2. It will be a nervy affair with both teams looking to make an impression of their title and league ambitions.

Team News

Roberto Firmino is pushing to make his first Liverpool start but Brendan Rodgers is likely to name an unchanged side from the victory at Stoke.

Joe Allen (hamstring) has joined long-term absentees Daniel Sturridge and Jon Flanagan on the treatment table.

Eddie Howe could hand summer signing Tyrone Mings his Bournemouth debut at the expense of Charlie Daniels.

Harry Arter and loanee Christian Atsu are still nursing injuries and are unlikely to feature.

Predicted Formations

Liverpool: Rodgers is set to hand home debuts to the trio of Nathaniel Clyne, James Milner and Christian Benteke, but he has a decision to make whether to start with the team which began the game at Stoke or the team that ended the game at the Britannia Stadium.

If he opts for the latter, that means Roberto Firmino making his full debut for the club, with him and Emre Can replacing Adam Lallana and Jordon Ibe. Lallana, in particular, failed to impress last week and his place is surely under threat as Firmino nears fitness.

Rodgers is set to continue with the same back four, meaning Dejan Lovren will continue alongside Martin Skrtel. The Croat is much maligned and most supporters would rather have Mamadou Sakho in defence, but Lovren put in an improved showing last week and will retain his place.

Bournemouth: For the visitors, Howe must decide whether to stick with his preferred 4-4-2 shape or go for a slightly more defensive-minded approach and play 4-1-4-1.

The Bournemouth boss could opt to bring in the experience of Sylvain Distin, who could also combat the aerial presence of Benteke—who will be keen to open his account on his home debut.

Howe also has new signings Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings as options, while Dan Gosling could be the unlucky man to miss out if Howe selects Eunan O'Kane in holding midfield.

       MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• This is the first ever league meeting between Liverpool and Bournemouth.
• They have met in each of the last two seasons in domestic cup competitions: Liverpool won away in the League Cup in 2014-15 and in the FA Cup the previous season.
• Bournemouth's last trip to Anfield was a 4-1 FA Cup defeat in January 1968

Liverpool

• Liverpool are unbeaten in their opening home match in each of the last 11 Premier League seasons since a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea in 2003/04.
• The Reds have lost only one of their last 36 Premier League home matches against promoted teams: the 2-1 defeat against Blackpool in October 2010.
• Liverpool's only defeat in their last 10 Monday Premier League home matches came against West Bromwich Albion in February 2013.
• Three of Philippe Coutinho's four league goals in 2015 have come from outside the penalty area.

AFC Bournemouth

• Bournemouth had more shots, more possession (58%) and better passing accuracy in their defeat to Aston Villa on the opening day.
• Only Manchester City (693) and Arsenal (481) completed more passes on the opening day of the Premier League season than Bournemouth (464).
• Eddie Howe's side had the best away record in the Championship last season, winning eight and losing just five of their matches on the road with a goal difference of +30.
• The Cherries are unbeaten in 12 Monday league matches, losing 1-0 at home to Brentford in League Two in April 2009.

Lawro's Prediction

"Bournemouth are still finding out the difference between the Premier League and the Championship and this is going to be a tough evening for them. Cherries boss Eddie Howe likes everyone to bomb on and get forward and cause problems down the other end but is he going to go to Anfield and play that way? That would be very brave if he does."