Cherries Face A Team Unbeaten At Home In The League
Last Saturday saw AFCB drew for the first time against Chelsea. In an entertaining game for those watching, Chelsea took the lead in the first half with the first of Alonso’s goals, at half-time the score was 0-1. The second half saw the Cherries equalise and then take the lead in a three minute spell, goals from Lerma and King. But a late goal and the second of the game for Alonso broke the Cherries’ players and fans hearts as time moved on it looked like another home win.
Our next opponents and on paper probably our hardest game of the season, is a trip to Anfield to face an unbeaten Liverpool side on their own ground with 14 home wins this season in the league. Since the Cherries last meeting with Liverpool at Anfield in February last year and our game coming this weekend, Liverpool have won all their home league games, which including ours which was the first, a total of 21 wins to date. In the January transfer window they signed forward Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg,he had a release clause which Liverpool triggered for £7.5 million.
Since we last met Liverpool at Dean Court in December, at home they have beaten and not conceded any goals against Watford 2-0, Wolves 1-0, Sheffield U 2-0, Manchester U 2-0, Saints 4-0. In their last home game they beat West Ham 3-2. Their away record was impressive as well, wins against Leicester 0-4, Spurs 0-1, Wolves 1-2, West Ham 1-2, Norwich 0-1. Then in their last game a shock 3-0 against a Watford side who at the time where in a relegation spot, but after that win Watford moved out of the relegation spot which was filled by AFCB. They then lost in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge 2-0 against Chelsea, again two matches running failing to score.
The last away meeting (as second para above), our side were beaten 3-0. Our last meeting at Dean Court, Liverpool won 0-3. In all our league games at Anfield, AFCB have W 0, D 1, L 3. In all competitions, AFCB have W 1, D 3, L 12.
Liverpool Team News
On the injury front they will be without Jordan Henderson with a hamstring, Xherdan Shaqiri, calf, Nathaniel Clyne, knee, Yasser Larouci, hamstring. Possible return for Saturday is Naby Keita after being out with a hip injury.
Liverpool Player To Watch
With a good choice to pick from, Mo Salah likes to score against us. He reminds me of his namesake, the late and great Mohammad Ali, in he ‘floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee’. He seems to pop up all over the pitch and the next thing he has the ball in the net. Not only a great player, but seems a gentleman as well. He only gets one or two yellow cards in a season for Liverpool. He is their leading scorer with 15 goals and has 6 assists to his name. By far their leader with assists, is Trent Alexander-Arnold with 12.
AFCB Team News
Usual players still missing through injury. A player who will not be available is Harry Wilson who is on loan from Liverpool and can’t play against his parent club.
AFCB Player To Watch
Josh King, was in the right place at the right time on Saturday to put the ball in the net from Jack Stacey to put the Cherries in the lead. He was also in the right place at Burnley to put the ball in the net, only to have it disallowed. Eddie Howe took him off as a precautionary measure after a spell out with injury.