Liverpool look to end a mini crisis after three defeats in four games with the visit of Bournemouth.

With just days now until the crunch second leg of the last 16 Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, it is imperative the Reds build some momentum here in their bid to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

Key mistakes from Adrian and Fabinho were exposed by Chelsea midweek to end Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of a traditional treble and matching Manchester United’s famous treble-winners from 1999.

Download the new Independent Premium app

Sharing the full story, not just the headlines

It is therefore unlikely Klopp will rest any of his strongest available players as he bids to help his side snap out of their lull, with Eddie Howe’s side proving they are ready to fight to stay in the division. The Cherries matched Chelsea for large spells last weekend, but remain inside the drop zone, meaning they will be focused on picking up ‘bonus’ points in their run-in after watching Watford beat the Reds to bolster their own hopes of survival. With 10 matches left, Howe knows there is a great deal of urgency here. 

Here’s our prediction for the game at Anfield and whether the Reds can rediscover their best form just in time for Atletico.

When is the match?

The match is on 7 March at 12:30 at Anfield. 

What TV channel is it on?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 with coverage beginning at 12:00.

Subscribers will be able to access a live stream of the match through the BT Sport app here.

Team news and official line-ups

Alisson is out of the match with a muscle injury and will also miss the crunch second leg of the last 16 Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Naby Keita is back in training and could feature, but Jordan Henderson is still injury, as is Xherdan Shaqiri. 

Liverpool XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Charlie Daniels (knee), Arnaut Danjuma (foot), Chris Mepham (knee) and David Brooks (ankle) are all out injured, while Harry Wilson is ineligible based on the terms of his loan deal from the Reds. Eddie Howe could welcome back Lloyd Kelly after resuming training this week.

Bournemouth XI: Ramsdale; Stacey, Francis, Cook, Ake, Smith; Fraser, Billing, Lerman, King; C. Wilson

Prediction

The Reds will face a nervous moment or too here with Bournemouth desperate for points to boost their hopes of Premier League survival, but the firepower and an Anfield-inspired rally ought to see the hosts through to salvage some confidence ahead of the one that truly matters on Tuesday. A timely first goal at Anfield this season for Roberto Firmino would be welcomed by Klopp, and we see the Brazilian notching in the second half to drag them to victory after a period of the game with the score level. 3-1 to the champions-elect.

Odds

Liverpool 1/4

Draw 11/2

Bournemouth 9/1

Source: Read Full Article