The current 21st matchday of the English Premier League is divided into two parts. Five out of 10 matches were played last weekend, and the remaining five will conclude by Monday. Among other things, Jurgen Klopp’s disciples are in action, aiming to defend their lead in the table. However, Liverpool faces a challenging away game at Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth.The clear favourite role in favour of Liverpool is certainly not surprising, but caution is advised because the Anfield team suffered a defeat last season away to Bournemouth with a score of 0-1. Also, Andoni Iraola’s team is in excellent form, as evidenced by the fact that in the last eight league games, no team has collected more points than the Cherries.Good results in recent weeks have moved Bournemouth towards the middle of the table. Liverpool, on the other hand, with a victory, could increase its lead over the current champion Manchester City to five points.Max Aarons on Iraola 🗣”I think there’s absolute clarity in what he wants from me. I know, for every scenario on the pitch, how he’d want me to defend or how he’d want me to attack. He’s always giving that information really, really clearly.” #afcb pic.twitter.com/QWkMWSMmih— 🍒 RedAndBlackArmy 🍒 (@RBA_app) January 18, 2024 Bournemouth struggled at the beginning of the season under the new coach Andoni Iraola. However, the team from the south of England believed in the Spanish coach, and in the end, the reward came in the form of six wins in eight league matches by the end of the last calendar year.The unbeaten streak was broken on the last day of December when Cherries lost 3-1 to Tottenham at home on New Year’s Eve. This year, Bournemouth has played only one match so far, against the Championship side Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup.Although Iraola’s players did not show a dominant performance and were two goals behind after halftime, they managed to qualify for the next round. Justin Kluivert ensured the decisive goal for the 3-2 victory, hoping to redirect his so-far not-so-successful engagement onto a better path.##NAJAVA_MECA_7812119##In Liverpool’s camp, there have been no significant changes in the lineup so far. The only departure from the club is goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, who went on loan to Sturm Graz. A more significant problem for coach Klopp is the number of absent players. In addition to Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita, who represent their countries at the Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup, the defensive quartet consisting of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, and Kostas Tsimikas is unavailable. Also, Japanese international midfielder Wataru Endo is away at the Asia Cup with his national team.Srdjan Bajcetic and Thiago have also failed to recover from injuries, and the start of Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is uncertain. Liverpool, plagued by injuries, will have a tough task ahead. If they want to maintain the top spot in the table, they must absolutely defeat Bournemouth on Sunday. Behind them, the rejuvenated Manchester City, with one of the best footballers on the planet, Kevin De Bruyne, recovered, is breathing down their necks.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUESaturdayArsenal – Crystal Palace 5-0 (2-0)/Gabriel 11, Henderson 37 (og), Trossard 59, Martinelli 90+4, 90+5/Brentford – Nott. Forest 3-2 (1-1)/Toney 19, Mee 58, Maupay 68 – Danilo 3, Wood 65/Sunday17.00: (3.45) Sheffield Utd (3.45) West Ham (2.25)19.30: (4.60) Bournemouth (3.80) Liverpool (1.75)Monday22.45: (1.67) Brighton (4.00) Wolverhampton (5.60)***odds are subject to change
