Wednesday 28 October 2015

Klopp needn't worry unless he loses to AFCB

The good feeling Klopp factor may just be beginning to wear off on Merseyside. A draw against Spurs and a draw at home against Rubin Kazan was followed up with another draw against the Saints for Liverpool's new manager. While he needs time to get the best from his squad there will be some anxious faces in the Kop if the record of no win in four becomes a fact after the visit of the Cherries in the Capital One Cup.

For AFCB to achieve that they will need one of their best performances of the season so far. They have already played well at Anfield though and I'm sure that will help them. Meanwhile, Liverpool have not hit top form yet and were perhaps lucky to get through against Carlisle Utd in the last round of the cup, as were AFCB who also won through on penalties against Preston North End.

It's the injury list that is going to be hurting both sides though. Without Danny Ings and with Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke also spending some time on the sidelines, it has fallen to Divock Origi to try and score some goals in front of the Kop. The big danger man is Philippe Coutinho of course, while Adam Lallana is also now a player that Liverpool are looking to to start having big games. How many stars Klopp decides to rests could have a big influence on the outcome of the result. 

The weakness in the Anfield team is not just up front, it can also be seen in midfield without Henderson and at the back they have had to reshuffle after losing Joe Gomez for the season. Neither Bournemouth or Liverpool are likely to put out a full strength team for this game, but there is a sense that the Cherries won't have a much better chance of finally getting one over the team that has put them out of cup competitions on a regular basis in the last 12 months.

The AFCB players can hope that Liverpool are over confident in taking them on again in the cup, but it is important that Eddie Howe's team go out there and perform at the very top of their game. Having been battered in their last two games though, AFCB have to find their game straight away on the night. If Klopp could choose an opponent from the top flight to play it would probably be AFCB on recent form. 

Liverpool won't fold unless they are put under enormous pressure, and while the Cherries have won games against West Ham and Sunderland in the league there is a sense of unfinished business with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp is not Brendan Rodgers though, and while there is a little bit of  tinkering going on at Anfield this could be the night when the Cherries can stun everyone and get their season going in a better direction. UTCIAD! 

The game tonight is going ahead as planned and the stadium has been reopened after a security incident.

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