Written by billythekid
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 three minutes, 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 wherein 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.
Last time we had him was the away defeat at Norwich.
Previously he was referee earlier in the season when we beat Everton and later our defeat at Brighton.
Michael Oliver is on VAR.
SteveJonesLegend wrote…
I very much doubt Liverpool would be low on confidence after 2 away defeats, having previously won 19 (I think) straight through… Also, the team last night v Chelsea was not a full-strength side, albeit still a good one.
I take nothing from the last 2 games other than Liverpool are not playing to the best right now… Is it they are really missing Henderson that much? Who knows but Salah is off form and we’re seeing sloppy mistakes at the back.
My only hope is that we don’t try to park the bus as we simply are not good enough to do that against quality. WHU and Watford have proven that if you get in their faces and go at them, they are breakable…
Hoping for something good, but expecting a 3-0 beating… – Join the conversation, click here.
