Bournemouth vs. Liverpool: A Banana Peel the Reds need to fear

Liverpool return to premier league waters away to AFC Bournemouth after a 3-week winter break that sees the Reds still remain top of the league standings though with a slim advantage over its top 3 rivals.

With just 2 points at the top of the premier league, the Reds return to familiar tides once more as they hope to improve on the gap by forcing out a win against the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium. At this point in time, it is victory or nothing, as even a dropped point means gifting the advantage back to the charging duo that are Arsenal and Manchester City.

However, it is easier said than done, as AFC Bournemouth so far this season, have built themselves a reputation of being an attacking threat to their opponents, and with Striker, Dominick Solanke on firing form, Liverpool will surely hope their own man, Darwin Nunez can bring something to the table.

That not withstanding, Liverpool will need to be on the alert in defense if they hope to make their work any easier especially with absences to their playmakers, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold and their Japanese rock, Wataru Endo who have either gone for their respective nation’s competitions or are sidelined due to fitness concerns.

A clean sheet gives the Reds more optimism to see out the game with a win assuming they force out a goal in the tie for an all important 3-points. Having the opponent net one themselves, puts Liverpool in unwanted waters.

But the Cherries are not to be overlooked however, as despite being 12th with 2 games in hand, Bournemouth stand a serious chance of mounting a charge for the top 6 spots in the league, which at the moment sees Liverpool as their one hurdle towards that goal.

Both teams will be heading into the clash with everything to fight for and to loose, but Liverpool though the favorites, should not take their eyes off the ball heading into this clash, and right now cannot afford failing to take their chances against Bournemouth.

With absences to their key players, the Cherries will fancy their own chances to get a result against the Reds, and for that reason, Liverpool need to be careful if not fearful with the one hurdle in front of them this week.

They can  either fall or slide through on what stands a banana peel for them.