Liverpool could face one of its most difficult games of the season on Saturday when it travels to Bournemouth.

The Cherries have been in fantastic form and, despite dealing with an injury crisis, have scored nine goals in the last two games against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest. Extending that record against the league leaders will be an even bigger challenge, however.

Liverpool heads to the Vitality on the back of just Arne Slot’s third defeat as Reds boss, following the 3-2 loss at PSV Eindhoven in midweek, But it’s a result that won’t cause the Dutchman too much concern - in fact, that Liverpool’s makeshift side managed to compete with the Dutch champions was largely seen as a positive.

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Slot will almost certainly revert to a more familiar XI for the Bournemouth game. He may also have a few extra options, with Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez all back in training on Friday. The trio missed the PSV match through injury and illness, although it’s unlikely any will start at Bournemouth.

In nets, Alisson will almost certainly return for the clash on the south coast, after Caoimhin Kelleher played in the Netherlands. Andy Robertson was one of the few players who retained his place for the Champions League defeat, playing in an unorthodox center-back role. He’ll likely revert to left-back on Saturday, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk all returning to the XI.

Curtis Jones is the only Liverpool player definitely ruled out this weekend and Slot will probably revert to his preferred midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, as was the case when the sides last met in September.

Luis Diaz netted a brace on that afternoon and should start once again on Saturday. He will likely be selected through the middle despite the return of Nunez and Jota. Mohamed Salah will surely start in the wide areas, in addition to Cody Gakpo.

The latter was one of the few regulars drafted into the team on Wednesday against his former side, but with Gakpo replaced early in the second half, he should be fresh enough to feature at Bournemouth.

With just one absentee, Liverpool could name an impressive bench at the Vitality, something its Premier League rivals may look at enviously as injuries pile up across the division

Liverpool predicted XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo.