Bournemouth vs Liverpool: team news, kick-off, referee & TV

Liverpool have enjoyed a rare break following their 2-1 victory against Fulham in the Carabao Cup, the Reds not in action again until 21 January.

Jurgen Klopp's men will take on Bournemouth in their first Premier League game in three weeks, the third time the Reds will have faced the Cherries this season.

Liverpool won the other two meetings with Bournemouth, but Andoni Iraola's side have been in resurgent form over the past few months after a difficult start to the campaign.

The Reds will have enjoyed their well-earned rest, but they are unlikely to be welcoming too many of their injured stars back into the team, while Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo are still on international duty.

After Manchester City's victory against Newcastle United last Saturday, Liverpool know a victory will move them five points clear at the top of the table once again.

Here is your guide to Bournemouth vs Liverpool next Sunday.

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DATE, KICK-OFF, STADIUM, REFEREE AND VAR

• Date: Sunday, 21 January 2024

• Kick-off time: 16:30 GMT / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT

• Stadium: Vitality Stadium

• Referee: Andy Madley

• VAR: Paul Tierney

BOURNEMOUTH VS LIVERPOOL HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Liverpool and Bournemouth are two clubs that haven't clashed too regularly in the past, but the sides have still faced off on 21 occasions.

The first meeting came all the way back in 1927 in the FA Cup, with only four of the past encounters having taken place prior to the 21^st century.

Meetings have been more frequent in recent years, but Liverpool have still only lost twice in this fixture.

One of those came in that infamous late collapse at the Vitality Stadium in a 4-3 defeat, while the other came last campaign – a 1-0 loss just a week after Liverpool had beaten Manchester United 7-0.

This season's matches have been more prosperous for the Reds, Liverpool winning the Premier League clash 3-1 at Anfield despite Alexis Mac Allister's red card.

The second battle came on the south coast in the Carabao Cup fourth round, Darwin Nunez's stunner helping Liverpool to a 2-1 win.

And, of course, there was that 9-0 win at Anfield last campaign.

WHERE TO WATCH BOURNEMOUTH VS LIVERPOOL ON TV

Those in the United Kingdom and Ireland will be able to watch Liverpool's trip to Bournemouth on Sky Sports.

In Australia, the game will be on Optus Sport, while audiences in Canada can watch on fuboTV.

In the United States, the game will be available on USA Network, as well as the NBC Sports App.

Of course, match highlights will be available after the full-time whistle on LFCTV, while you can keep up to date with the action on the Anfield Watch socials.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Liverpool will be hopeful of having Dominik Szoboszlai back in the starting lineup, although the Hungarian could be rested for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final if he's not fully fit.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the other question mark, Liverpool missing the right-back for the first leg of the semi-final. However, it seems unlikely that he will be fit for the trip to Bournemouth.

The Reds will still be without Endo and Salah for Bournemouth, even if the pair are dumped out at the group stage of their respective international tournaments.

Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic are still some way off featuring this term, while Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson have optimistic return dates of February.

Joel Matip is out for the rest of the season and Ben Doak is still sidelined after knee surgery.

BOURNEMOUTH TEAM NEWS

The Cherries also have a number of absentees to contend with, including Liverpool target Lloyd Kelly.

Milos Kerkez, Tyler Adams and Ryan Fredericks are sidelined, while Marcos Senesi is suspended following his fifth booking of the season on New Year's Eve.

Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo are on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool are likely to go full strength for the trip to the Vitality Stadium despite the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final with Fulham coming three days later, with not a lot of options in reserve for Klopp.

Conor Bradley will be aiming to build on his impressive display against the Cottagers, with Harvey Elliott perhaps retaining his place in the lineup if Szoboszlai isn't fit.

Nunez's remarkable cameo against Fulham means he should start up top, partnered by Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.

(4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliott, Mac Allister, Jones; Jota, Nunez, Diaz.

BOURNEMOUTH VS LIVERPOOL SCORE PREDICTION

The fact that Liverpool have beaten Bournemouth twice this season bodes well for the Reds, but Iraola's side are a much stronger force now than when the clubs met in August and November.

The Cherries have been in great form, especially going forward, with ex-Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke someone that will test Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk.

However, Liverpool have often found a way past such sides this term, even if it hasn't always been pretty. Klopp's men have been in strong form themselves, and should get all three points against Bournemouth.

Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool