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CloseBournemouth a big one - Slot

Liverpool face a major challenge in their title push today as they take on one of the Premier League’s most impressive overperformers this season in Bournemouth.

Andoni Iraola has worked wonders with the Cherries this season and victory here would lift them into the top four, for a few hours at least, as they battle Manchester City, Newcastle United and Chelsea for a place in Europe next season.

But that will be no easy task against Arne Slot’s Liverpool, who finished on top of the Champions League standings in midweek with a rotated side and arrive fresh on the south coast looking to extend their lead over Arsenal at the top of the table to nine points.

Follow the score and all the latest updates from Bournemouth v Liverpool below.

League leaders visit Andoni Iraoa's impressive Cherries | 3pm kick-off at Vitality StadiumBournemouth without long-term absentees Evanilson and Enes UnalArne Slot returns to strong Liverpool XI after midweek rotationBournemouth: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Luis Diaz, Gakpo.Bournemouth v Liverpool

So we’re nearly ready for kick-off at the Vitality Stadium.

A reminder of the line-ups today:

Bournemouth: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.

Subs: Dennis, Tavernier, Jebbison, Silcott-Duberry, Adu-Adjel, Akinmboni, Winterburn, Kinsey, Rees-Dottin.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Luis Diaz, Gakpo.

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley.

Lawrence Ostlere1 February 2025 14:52

There has already been one result today, as Nottingham Forest thumped Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0 helped by a hat trick from striker Chris Wood at the City Ground on Saturday, in an emphatic bounce back from last week's humbling 5-0 loss at Bournemouth.

Forest remain third on 47 points after 24 games to consolidate their hold on a top four spot that brings Champions League football next season, while Brighton are ninth on 34.

An own goal from Lewis Dunk in the 12th minute kicked off the scoring as Brighton's skipper lunged to clear Morgan Gibbs-White's low cross and poked the ball into the net.

Gibbs-White doubled Forest's lead in the 25th minute with a glancing header from Anthony Elanga's corner.

Wood netted his first goal seven minutes later when, left completely unmarked, he headed Elanga's cross past Bart Verbruggen.



Forest celebrate after Chris Wood scored their fourth goal (Getty Images)

Lawrence Ostlere1 February 2025 14:44

Liverpool want Salah to stay, insists Slot

Slot is not involved in contract negotiations as they are handled by sporting director Richard Hughes but he has made his thoughts clear to Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

"I speak with these players, I speak with them, not every day like Richard but quite a lot, and it would be ridiculous if in all these times I speak to them we have never spoken about the future," added the Dutchman ahead of the tough-looking trip to Bournemouth.

"But as you probably know, that is not something I am going to discuss.

But it is not only with the three that are out of contract, you also talk about future things with other players as well.

"It's a non-stop process talking to your players, but it is also a non-stop process that I will not talk about in public."

Lawrence Ostlere1 February 2025 14:34

Liverpool want Salah to stay, insists Slot

"I would be surprised if there was anyone wherever around the world saying 'We don't want Mo Salah'," was Slot's response to the Saudi sports minister's charm offensive.

"He's doing so well for so many years that everyone probably wants him.

That is clear.

"I am not surprised that Saudi wants him - but I would not be surprised if other countries wanted him as well.

"He is old enough and wise enough and done so many smart things in his career he will make the right decision for himself and hopefully for us as well."

Lawrence Ostlere1 February 2025 14:29

Liverpool want Salah to stay, insists Slot

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot wants Mohamed Salah to extend his contract with the Premier League leaders and has spoken to him, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold about their futures.

The trio are all out of contract in the summer and Salah, in particular, has made numerous public comments and earlier this month said a breakthrough in negotiations was "far away".

Speculation continues to link him with a mega-money move to the Saudi Pro League and on Thursday the country's sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said the Egypt international was "a big prize" and the country "would love to have him".

Liverpool rejected a £150million bid from Al Ittihad in September 2023, but with time ticking down on Salah's contract, fears continue to grow he could leave for nothing at the end of the season.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are nearing the end of their contracts at Anfield (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Archive)

Lawrence Ostlere1 February 2025 14:24

Liverpool prepare for kick-off at Bournemouth

Arne Slot appears in good spirits as he inspects his surroundings on the south coast, in what it’s probably safe to say is his first ever visit to the Vitality Stadium.

Arne Slot in a good mood before kick-off at Bournemouth (John Walton/PA Wire)A look inside the Liverpool dressing room (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

1 February 2025 14:20

Bournemouth team news

Bournemouth are understandably unchanged from the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest.



Bournemouth's Dango Ouattara will lead the line (REUTERS)

Lawrence Ostlere1 February 2025 14:06

Liverpool team news

So Liverpool line up as expected, as Arne Slot reverts to his strongest side having rotated in midweek.

1 February 2025 14:03

Bournemouth v Liverpool – confirmed line-ups

Bournemouth: Kepa; Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Ouattara.

Subs: Dennis, Tavernier, Jebbison, Silcott-Duberry, Adu-Adjel, Akinmboni, Winterburn, Kinsey, Rees-Dottin.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Luis Diaz, Gakpo.

Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah, Bradley.

Lawrence Ostlere1 February 2025 13:50

Bournemouth v Liverpool

The teams are about to land...

Lawrence Ostlere1 February 2025 13:44

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