Liverpool welcome Bournemouth in the Premier League having put together an unbeaten run at Anfield that now stretches to 18 league games.

As for the Cherries, Eddie Howe's men appear safe from the drop and will be hoping to build a late push for a top-half finish come the end of May.

Liverpool

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Liverpool return to Premier League action after recording a memorable 5-1 aggregate win over Manchester City in the Champions League, which has seen Jurgen Klopp's charges march into the semi-finals of the competition.

The Reds ran out deserved winners over two legs despite a controversially disallowed goal from Leroy Sane in the second leg on Tuesday, where Liverpool positioned themselves as genuine European contenders with a second victory over Pep Guardiola's men in two weeks.

Reaching the final will now likely become Liverpool's main priority heading into the decisive months of the season, but the Reds do still have some work to do in order to cement a Champions League qualification spot domestically.

Liverpool currently sit in third spot in the league standings, level on 67 points with fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who along with fifth-placed Chelsea have a game in hand over the Reds.

Klopp will not be too worried, though, given that Liverpool hold a 10-point advantage over Antonio Conte's chasing Blues. Another win or two in the English top flight will likely wrap up qualification for Europe's elite tournament next term.

Central to Liverpool's success has been Mohamed Salah, who now has 29 Premier League goals this season on his way to breaking a number of outstanding records. Klopp has a key decision to make whether to rest his key man for the Champions League, or allow him to continue running riot in the Premier League.

Coming into the game, Liverpool are unbeaten in 18 home matches in the league this term, leaving the Reds unbeaten at Anfield all season long. Liverpool have now scored at least two goals in their last seven home matches in the top flight, scoring 24 goals over that period.

Aside from Salah, frontman Roberto Firmino has been vital when facing Bournemouth in recent years. The Brazilian has been directly involved in four goals in his last four league games against the Cherries, scoring two and assisting for another two.

Recent form: WWLWWD
Recent form (all competitions): WWWDWW

Bournemouth

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Howe continues to impress down on the south coast, and the coach looks to have helped to all but secure another top-flight season for the Cherries.

As might be expected, Bournemouth have enjoyed a season of peaks and troughs, but Howe's tactical nouse and adventure has pretty much guaranteed safety for the coastal club with five games remaining.

Bournemouth come into the fixture against Liverpool having only lost three of their last 16, although at least half of those contests have ended in draws. The Cherries now stand 10 points clear of the bottom three and a strong end to the campaign could see them push for a top-half finish.

Many of Bournemouth's problems have arisen when on the road this season, especially in the latter stages of the campaign. Bournemouth have been unable to win in nine of their last 10 away matches in the Premier League.

What will have pleased Howe recently is the club's ability to bounce back in the face of adversity, though. In their previous six games, Bournemouth have scored four goals in the 89th minute and beyond.

Three of those four goals have been to collect last-gasp draws against Crystal Palace, Watford and Newcastle United, while Junior Stanislas also bagged a crucial late winner a few weeks ago at home to West Bromwich Albion. Those four late goals have been responsible for six vital points.

Bournemouth recorded an impressive win at home to Liverpool courtesy of a memorable 4-3 comeback victory during the 2016-17 season, although the Cherries only have that one victory against the Reds in their last six meetings. Liverpool have won four and the other ended in a draw.

The Cherries' meetings with Liverpool in the Premier League have tended to offer mouthwatering affairs going forward. In the last five league meetings between the clubs, 19 goals have been scored at an average of 3.8 per match.

Recent form: DDLWDD

Team News

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Trent Alexander-Arnold could be given a rest following some standout showings in Europe, potentially leaving a chance for Nathaniel Clyne to start at right-back again in the league.

Jordan Henderson should come straight back into midfield after missing the second leg with Manchester City through suspension, but Klopp will be without Emre Can and Adam Lallana again.

Klopp will have to make a decision as to whether he keeps his in-form forward three intact, with the likes of Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings offering competition from the sidelines.

Joshua King dropped to the bench last time out for Bournemouth, but he could start here as he aims to score three in a row in the league for the first time since March of last year.

Stanislas, Adam Smith and Tyrone Mings remain Howe's main injury concerns. Jordan Ibe should be welcomed back into the starting XI after missing out recently through illness.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Karius; Clyne, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Milner, Henderson; Salah, Mane, Firmino

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Frances, S. Cook, Ake, Daniels; Ibe, L. Cook, Gosling, Pugh; King, Defoe

Head To Head

These two clubs have offered up some fantastic attacking games of late, but Liverpool have certainly come out victorious across their previous six meetings.

Liverpool have won four, drawn one and lost one against the Cherries in their last six across all competitions.

The Reds ran out 4-0 victors when the clubs met at Vitality Stadium in December.

We say: Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth

Liverpool are currently on an outstanding unbeaten home run in the league and will fancy extending that stretch on Saturday when they welcome the seaside club to Merseyside.

Bournemouth's worrying away form will be of real concern as they make the trip north to Anfield, where they have never won competitively since first facing Liverpool in the FA Cup in 1927 under the guise of Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic.

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