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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
David Prentice

Liverpool v Bournemouth: A blip, a slip or have Jurgen Klopp's Reds got the yips?

A blip? A slip? Or have the Reds now got the yips?

Three defeats in their last four matches have left some Liverpool fans panicking.

If Manchester City win their next two games the Reds' lead at the top of the Premier League will be slashed to 19 points - and City are 'only' playing Manchester United and Arsenal next.

So we asked Liverpool correspondent Paul Gorst what he expects from Bournemouth's Saturday lunchtime trip to Anfield.

Win, lose or draw?

After a run of form that in Liverpool parameters could be considered disastrous, anything less than three points would be another massive setback for Jurgen Klopp and his players.

Fortunately, Bournemouth are compliant visitors. They have never beaten the Reds at Anfield and Liverpool have won their last five games by an aggregate scoreline of 17-0.

Home win. Which is 1/4 with thepools.com . You can't get a price on 17-0 with The Pools, but 7-0 is 100/1 .

Who's a good bet for first scorer?

Again, this has been an issue for the Reds in recent weeks, with games against Atletico Madrid, Watford and Chelsea all drawing a blank.

The usual suspects - Mane, Salah and Firmino - will be near the top of the list, but I'm going to say Virgil van Dijk. I can see the big Dutchman getting his head on a Trent Alexander-Arnold delivery. Virgil is 12/1 to open the scoring and he's 4/1 to score a goal at any time .

Who's on pens?

That is none other than Mo Salah. A goal from 12 yards puts him on to 20 for the season. And he's 13/5 to do that with the first goal of the game and 7/10 to score at any time .

Will Liverpool keep a clean sheet?

Yes. While clean sheets have been hard to come by in recent games - Liverpool have shipped seven in their last three matches - I still feel the Reds will keep out the Cherries.

A full strength back five is expected and I cannot see Bournemouth breaching them. Both Teams To Score 'No' is 8/11 .

Yellow card?

Fabinho picked up a needless yellow against Chelsea, as did James Milner. I expect the former to start, so he could be a good bet for a carding.

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