Klopp expects a tough test against ‘brilliant’ Bournemouth
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is anticipating another tough test for his side today when they face Bournemouth.
Four days on from being held to a 0-0 draw at Anfield by West Bromwich Albion, Liverpool are in Premier League action again with a trip to the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth – 14th in the table at the start of the weekend, two points above the relegation zone – produced a commendable performance on Wednesday as they were beaten 1-0 at Manchester United.
And Klopp, whose men lost 4-3 away to Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth last season after being 3-1 up, said: “I saw Bournemouth playing at United and couldn’t see the biggest difference to our game against West Brom.
“Bournemouth lost, but they had a proper performance there. It was really good how they played: clear structure, good defending, and a good football-playing team.
“I saw a few games of Bournemouth this year and they didn’t get the points they deserve maybe, were unlucky in a few moments.
“They need points and it will be a tough game for sure.
“They have all my respect really. They do a brilliant job there and Eddie is a really fantastic manager. It will be difficult, 100 per cent.”
Liverpool, fifth ahead of this weekend’s action, are set to have Simon Mignolet back in their starting XI and Adam Lallana could also be involved in the contest.
Joe Gomez, James Milner and Andrew Robertson are expected to be fit after knocks. Daniel Sturridge (hamstring) remains a doubt, and Alberto Moreno (ankle), Joel Matip (adductor) and Nathaniel Clyne (back) are still unavailable. Emre Can serves a one-match suspension.
Manchester United must win their upcoming games during the festive period if they hope to catch Premier League leaders Manchester City, captain Antonio Valencia has said.
United are second in the league, 11 points behind rivals Manchester City, and play five games before the end of the year, starting with today’s clash against 17th-placed West Brom.
“The important thing we have to do now is win,” Valencia told the club’s website. “We can’t really afford to lose or even draw, it’s about focusing ourselves and our objectives on winning as many games as we can and hoping that anyone above us slips up now and again.”
Midfielder Nemanja Matic echoed his teammate’s sentiments and does not believe the title race is over despite last Sunday’s Manchester derby defeat.
“The gap is big, obviously 11 points is a lot, but the league is not finished,” Matic told Sky Sports. “I’m sure there will be very interesting games until the end, and of course that they will drop some points. We will see what will happen.
Fellow midfielder Paul Pogba misses out as the Frenchman serves the second of his threematch suspension.