Bournemouth vs Liverpool team news: Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold left out along with Callum Wilson

Both sides make changes for the opening Premier League game of the day

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 08 December 2018 12:44 GMT
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp previews Bournemouth clash

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dropped both Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold from his starting line-up to face Bournemouth in Saturday’s early kick-off, while the hosts will be without their leading goalscorer this season with Callum Wilson absent through injury.

Bournemouth make three changes to the side that beat Huddersfield in mid-week, both of which have been forced on manager Eddie Howe.

Midfielder Lewis Cook is replaced by Andrew Surman after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, ending his season in the process and ruling him out for the best part of nine months, while Wilson is not fit enough to make the side, leaving Josh King up front on his own and making space for Junior Stanislas to start.

Liverpool boss Klopp has rung the changes meanwhile as he continues to rotate his side, with both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino starting after scoring off the bench in mid-week against Burnley.

However, the surprising selections are that both Mane and Alexander-Arnold do not start, meaning that a back-four of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Andy Robertson is likely to be completed by Fabinho at right-back – although James Milner could also find himself moved back into defence.

Meanwhile, it’s Xherdan Shaqiri who joins Salah and Firmino in attack, while Naby Keita continues alongside Georginio Wijnaldum after his impressive display against Burnely last time out.

Teams

Bournemouth: Begovic; Francis, S Cook, Ake, Daniels; Stanislas, Surman, Lerma, Fraser; Brooks; King.

Subs: Boruc, Mings, Rico, Pugh, Ibe, Moussey, Defoe.

Liverpool: Alisson; Fabinho, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Wijnaldum, Keita; Shaqiri, Salah, Firmino.

Subs: Mignolet, Mane, Henderson, Sturridge, Lallana, Origi, Alexander-Arnold.

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