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Liverpool team news vs Bournemouth: Predicted line-up – Injury doubts force 4-2-3-1 switch
LIVERPOOL are sweating over the fitness of several first-team stars ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Saturday (3pm).
Liverpool could be without a number of key players for their meeting with Bournemouth this weekend as the Reds look to regain their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Consecutive draws with Leicester and West Ham have allowed Manchester City to draw level at the top of the table, although Pep Guardiola’s side have played one game more than Liverpool.
Manager Jurgen Klopp will hope his players can get back to winning ways at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday but the German is faced with several tough selection decisions.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has returned to training and is closing in on a comeback but is unlikely to be risked against the Cherries, meaning James Milner should start at right-back again.
Joe Gomez has undergone surgery on his leg fracture and is a long-term absentee while Dejan Lovren is struggling with a hamstring injury and is doubtful to play.
Therefore, Joel Matip is most likely to partner Virgil van Dijk in central defence while Andrew Robertson is an automatic pick at left-back.
Further forward, both Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson are doubts after suffering problems against West Ham.
Wijnaldum has a sore knee and is thought to have the more severe problem of the two midfielders, although both he and Henderson would make the starting XI if passed fit.
Fabinho would likely join them in a midfield three but if both remain sidelined then the Brazilian should be paired with Naby Keita in central roles.
A lack of midfield options would force Klopp to move from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1, meaning Xherdan Shaqiri comes into the side on the right wing.
The Swiss international would be joined by Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane with the trio operating behind lone frontman Mohamed Salah.
Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains sidelined but has been named in Liverpool’s Champions League squad and is due to return to full training this month.
Liverpool predicted line-up vs Bournemouth – Premier League
(4-2-3-1): Alison; Milner, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Keita; Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane; Salah
Liverpool news latest
West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has called for any fan responsible for abusing Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah to be swiftly punished.
Egypt international Salah was filmed on a mobile phone from a section of home supporters as he was taking a corner during Monday night's Premier League draw.
The video clip contains audible expletives directed at the player, including comments against his Muslim religion.
"Of course I think that cannot happen in the stadium," said Pellegrini. "The best way to manage those things out of the game is to remove them from the great spectacle that is the Premier League.
"We must have high standards and when this happen, you must take action. The club knows how to work and says it cannot accept these kind of things in the game.
"It was a very good game and everybody was enjoying the game, so these people must be punished as soon as we can."