Liverpool aims to regain momentum as Bournemouth comes calling
LONDON (Reuters) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is looking for his defense to regain top form after a third loss in four games across all competitions, but Saturday’s Premier League opponent Bournemouth could be more concerned about its own back line.
Leader Liverpool was expected to respond strongly to last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Watford – the Reds first loss of the league campaign – but instead was beaten 2-0 at Chelsea in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
Those results followed last month’s 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round-of-16 and a tense 3-2 win at home against West Ham United in the league.
“Usually you don’t get a lot of chances against us, but now we have to admit that in the last three games, maybe four, we have conceded too many goals,” said Klopp.
“Look, it went our way for so long because we defended outstandingly... the boys are strong, they showed so many times a wonderful reaction and we have to show this reaction again.”
Down in 18th place, Bournemouth has lost its last five league games to Liverpool conceding 17 goals without response, and will be wary of a backlash that could hurt its hopes of escaping the drop zone.
With one hand already on the league trophy thanks to a 22-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, Liverpool will look to regain lost momentum before next week’s Champions League clash against Atletico.
Manchester United will aim to avoid another dent in its bid for a top-four finish when it hosts City on Sunday and a victory will not only boost the Red Devils chances but secure a rare league double over the reigning champion.
United, which defeated City 2-1 in the league earlier in the campaign, has not managed the double over its derby rival since the 2009/10 season, when Alex Ferguson was in charge.
Despite a 1-1 draw against Everton last time out, United will fancy its chances, buoyed by the form of January signing Bruno Fernandes who has bagged three goals and two assists over all competitions since his debut last month.
“He’s lifted the place, lifted everyone around him and it’s still early days. I think he can get even better,” former United winger Ryan Giggs told Sky Sports.
City could be missing the services of its own midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne due to a shoulder injury sustained in the League Cup final win over Aston Villa.
Trying to stay in the race for a Champions League spot, seventh-place Tottenham Hotspur faces a stern test at Burnley on Saturday, having lost its last two league matches.
Fellow contender Wolverhampton Wanderers hosts Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday while third-place Leicester City takes on Villa on Monday.
Carlo Ancelotti takes his Everton side to former club Chelsea on Sunday, but awaits an FA decision on whether he is banned from the dugout after being charged with misconduct in the last game.