Our writers pick their Liverpool teams for the opening Premier League game of the season at Anfield against Bournemouth.
Ian Doyle – I’d bring Harvey Elliott in
Bournemouth. And the one thing we know is Liverpool won’t be winning 9-0 again. But what should Jurgen Klopp do with the first home game of the season for the Reds?
It doesn’t look like Curtis Jones is available, which will be a blow if new signing Wataru Endo isn’t cleared to play in time. To be fair, it does appear a bit of an ask for the Japan international to start straight away regardless.
It looks, then, that Alexis Mac Allister must continue in the number six role. However, while Dominik Szoboszlai also remains in the engine room, I’d bring Harvey Elliott in. That means Cody Gakpo can push forward into a central attacking role, with Luis Diaz to his left and Mohamed Salah right.
In goal, it’s Alisson Becker. And there’s no change in defence with Trent Alexander-Arnold right-back, Andy Robertson left-back and Ibrahima Konate partnering Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Elliott, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Theo Squires – Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas in – if Wataru Endo can’t play
Liverpool have a holding midfielder! Huzzah!
If Wataru Endo has received international clearance in time, he goes straight into the starting XI for me against Bournemouth. First choice back five, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai either side of him, and any three from five in attack. Job’s a good’un!
But if the Japan international isn’t available, Jurgen Klopp will have to be creative again. And having only had 35% possession against Chelsea, another different midfield will be needed.
Trent Alexander-Arnold can start as the number six, with Mac Allister in his preferred advanced role alongside Szoboszlai. Joe Gomez can come in at right-back as a result, and that means Kostas Tsimikas starts as an inverted left-back, having actually played the hybrid role unlike Andy Robertson.
Cody Gakpo returns to the front three and leads the attack, flanked by Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz. Darwin Nunez and Diego Jota will have to make do with substitute duty.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Alexander-Arnold, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Keifer MacDonald – Cody Gakpo restored to the forward line
Back at Anfield, then. After three months and a summer of significant changes, Liverpool return to L4 for their first home outing of the season.
Lining up against a fairly unknown and refreshed Bournemouth side, led by new manager Andoni Iraola, the Reds will be hoping to build on last week’s promise at Stamford Bridge. Of course, Saturday’s outing comes in preparation for the trip to high-flying Newcastle United next weekend, meaning there really is little room for error.
With that in mind, it’s full strength this afternoon with Alisson Becker marshalled by his usual defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
Akin to last weekend, it’s in midfield where the real questions lie for Jurgen Klopp with the recently-arrived Wataru Endo facing a race against time to receive his work permit for Saturday’s game. If he is to miss out, Alexis Mac Allister will retain his position at the base of midfield, while Harvey Elliott is handed a first start of the campaign after a bright showing from the bench at Stamford Bridge. As a result of Curtis Jones’ ankle knock that is expected to keep him sidelined for the Cherries’ visit to Anfield, Dominik Szoboszlai shifts across to the left-hand side of the engine room.
In attack, Luis Diaz will be hoping for a carbon copy of his performance against Bournemouth last August, where his goals bookended the 9-0 thrashing of the South Coast outfit. Joining the Colombian is the irreplaceable Mohamed Salah, while Cody Gakpo is restored to the forward line.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.