OPINION
Liverpool are likely to once again make wholesale changes for their Premier League clash against Bournemouth today (Saturday).
With the lunchtime kick-off following hot on the heels of Wednesday night’s gruelling encounter at Burnley, Jurgen Klopp made it clear at his media conference yesterday that he cannot afford to rely on the same group of players.
The manager will have half on eye on next Tuesday’s must-win Champions League clash against Napoli but, notwithstanding such a huge upcoming fixture, he is expected to ring the alterations in attack, midfield and defence following four intense and demanding matches – the away trips to Burnley, Watford and Paris Saint-Germain sandwiched last Sunday’s exhausting Merseyside derby.
Six changes could be made in total, with Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah all returning to the XI after being omitted at Turf Moor.
They are likely to come in for the injured Joe Gomez, Alberto Moreno, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi.
Liverpool won 3-1 in midweek but it was not until Firmino and Salah came off the bench after an hour that the team had real penetration in attack.
The pair are certain to return at the Vitality Stadium but Klopp strongly suggested that Sadio Mane will miss out for the second consecutive match with a foot injury.
With Robertson and Alexander-Arnold almost certain to return in the full-back positions, the big decision is the composition of the midfield.
Keita was outstanding against Burnley and will surely be retained, assuming he has emerged unscathed from his first league start in three months.
Big-name pair Henderson and Milner will be sweating on their places despite fine displays at Turf Moor, as Fabinho was outstanding in the Merseyside derby and Wijnaldum has had more starts than any of the team’s other midfielders this season.