Liverpool are as short as 1/12 with some bookies to beat Bournemouth this weekend. That’s despite Jurgen Klopp’s side drawing with Fulham and Crystal Palace and losing to Manchester United in the first three weeks of the season.
The hosts are also without several key players, including Darwin Nunez, Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip.
Bournemouth, however, have lost their last two matches to Manchester City and Arsenal, conceding seven goals in the process.
Win To Nil: Liverpool
Liverpool’s defence hasn’t exactly impressed thus far, but this is a good opportunity to record a first clean sheet of the season. Bournemouth failed to score against City and Arsenal, amassing only nine shots over the 180 minutes.
Where Fulham, Palace and United all had the individual talent to exploit Liverpool’s weaknesses at the back, Bournemouth have no such luxury.
Kieffer Moore is not going to cause the same problems Aleksandar Mitrovic did, while Scott Parker doesn’t have the pace at his disposal to provide a threat on the counter like Wilfried Zaha or Marcus Rashford.
Home Goals: Over 3.5
Liverpool’s poor start has been down to the defence rather than the attack. Klopp’s team are still up in fourth in expected goals (admittedly in a very small sample). Mo Salah has picked up from where he left off and Luis Diaz has proved a constant threat from the left.
The Reds scored four or more goals on nine occasions in 2021-22. Bournemouth’s defence was picked apart by Arsenal last Sunday, and they will struggle against this Liverpool attack.
First Goalscorer: Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has three goals in four matches in 2022-23, including a late strike to give Liverpool hope at Old Trafford on Monday.
The Egyptian scored four in five against the newly promoted sides last term, and could be moved into the central striker role for this one after Roberto Firmino’s abysmal performance against Manchester United.
The Salah goalscorer markets all provide intrigue here. First goalscorer looks the best value, though.
All odds are subject to change