Eddie Howe takes his injury depleted squad to Anfield hoping to see a turn in both luck and form following a dismal December.
Injuries to Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson have added to Howe’s problems with both ruled out with groin and calf problems respectively.
"In the last game, they both picked up injuries. We don't think they are too serious," Howe said. Thankfully, January is not as busy as December was but we'll wait and see how long they will be out for. We haven't really been training. We've been playing every three days. The squad was really stretched. We have had to protect the players we've had who were fit and available.”
"December was a really difficult month to navigate, but we're through that now, and hopefully we can return to ourselves."
Tripper and Wilson join long term-absentees Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock and Javier Manquillo. Jamaal Lascelles is a doubt while Sven Botman is available having disclosed that his recent absence has been down to a torn ACL which went undiagnosed for two games before he was eventually ruled out for three months.
Tino Livramento will be the shoe in to take Trippier’s right fullback berth while Howe will be hoping that Alexander Isak is free to lead the line upfront.
Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Konstantinos Tsimikas and Andrew Robertson all miss out for Liverpool, while Alexis Mac Allister is doubtful and may only make the bench at best.
The referee is Anthony Taylor
Injuries to Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson have added to Howe’s problems with both ruled out with groin and calf problems respectively.
"In the last game, they both picked up injuries. We don't think they are too serious," Howe said. Thankfully, January is not as busy as December was but we'll wait and see how long they will be out for. We haven't really been training. We've been playing every three days. The squad was really stretched. We have had to protect the players we've had who were fit and available.”
"December was a really difficult month to navigate, but we're through that now, and hopefully we can return to ourselves."
Tripper and Wilson join long term-absentees Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock and Javier Manquillo. Jamaal Lascelles is a doubt while Sven Botman is available having disclosed that his recent absence has been down to a torn ACL which went undiagnosed for two games before he was eventually ruled out for three months.
Tino Livramento will be the shoe in to take Trippier’s right fullback berth while Howe will be hoping that Alexander Isak is free to lead the line upfront.
Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Konstantinos Tsimikas and Andrew Robertson all miss out for Liverpool, while Alexis Mac Allister is doubtful and may only make the bench at best.
The referee is Anthony Taylor