Salah Primed to Torment Cherries as Liverpool Look to Extend Dominance

Liverpool arrive at the Vitality Stadium in confident mood after dispatching Marseille 3-0 midweek, extending their European prowess to three successive away victories. The Reds have now strung together 13 matches unbeaten across all competitions following wins over Eintracht Frankfurt (5-1), Inter (1-0), and the French outfit.

The Premier League tells a rather different story, however. Four consecutive draws have left Arne Slot's men fourth in the table, a troubling 14 points adrift of Arsenal and seven behind third-placed Villa. For last season's champions, this chasing pack position represents a significant underperformance.

Bournemouth's predicament looks considerably more dire. Languishing in 15th, the Cherries have managed just one victory in their last 13 top-flight outings, with six of those matches ending in stalemate. The loss of Antoine Semenyo—now departed—has left a sizeable hole in their attacking arsenal. The opening-day reverse at Anfield, a 4-2 defeat after surrendering a 2-0 lead, underscores the gulf between these sides.

There are minor positives for Andoni Iraola's outfit. Since Semenyo's exit, Bournemouth have drawn both matches and came agonisingly close to victory at Brighton, where Charalampos Kostoulas's injury-time overhead kick denied them the spoils.

Injuries continue to plague the hosts. Ben Gannon-Doak misses a reunion with his former club, whilst Justin Kluivert, Tyler Adams, and Marcus Tavernier remain sidelined. David Brooks and Enes Unal are doubts.

Liverpool welcome back Mohamed Salah for his first Premier League appearance since December 13, having featured midweek against Marseille. Ibrahima Konate remains unavailable on compassionate leave following his father's death, with Joe Gomez stepping in. Alexander Isak and Connor Bradley continue their long-term absences.

The Stats Tell Their Own Story

Liverpool have won 12 of their last 13 Premier League meetings with Bournemouth, the sole exception a 1-0 away defeat in March 2023. Across all 17 contests, the Cherries have conceded 52 goals—matching their tally against Manchester City—without a single side having shipped more to Liverpool.

The underlying form figures paint a bleak picture for Bournemouth. Since November, only Wolves (6 points) and Burnley (4) have accumulated fewer than their nine. Defensively, they've leaked 30 goals—more than any other side during this stretch—and conceded 41 times across 22 league matches.

Liverpool's run, meanwhile, stretches to ten unbeaten in the league, though the four successive draws represent their most prolonged sequence of stalemates since October/November 1980, when they drew five on the trot. Florian Wirtz has been a bright spark, scoring or assisting in four of his last six outings—contributions worth six points to the Reds.

The Verdict

This should be Liverpool's to lose. Bournemouth leak goals at an alarming rate and lack their primary attacking outlet, whilst Liverpool's creative talents should flourish against a side likely to play with attacking intent. The Reds to win with both teams scoring appeals at 23/10.

Salah, who has netted seven times at this ground including a hat-trick, boasts excellent form having scored four times for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Egyptian looks primed to open the scoring at 11/2.