Good afternoon, I hope you are having a pleasant Sunday and thank you for joining us on our live blog of AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool in the Premier League. The hosts are 12th and have 25 points, they had been on a nice little run: they had four wins in a row during December before losing to Spurs on New Years’ Eve. Curiously, they have not yet played a Premier League fixture in 2024, so not quite sure what we should make of that in form terms.
Liverpool have been going well. They have won three and drawn two of their last five and the absence of key man Mo Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations appears to have been absorbed so far. They’ve beaten Arsenal and Fulham in Cup competitions recently, and Newcastle United in the League. Both teams have been scoring plenty and hopefully we will see a good open game with plenty of goals.
There was a nice, although of course sad, story over the past week where Sven Goran Eriksson had said that it was always his dream to manage Liverpool. The former England boss has cancer and he has publicly said that he doesn’t have long to live.
Robbie Fowler, who played under Eriksson for England, said that a call had been made for the 75-year-old Swede to manage a Liverpool Legends team at Anfield in 2024, but the current Reds boss Jurgen Klopp says he might be able to one better.
“Yes, it was obviously very touching news when you heard about it. I heard for the first time about his admiration or love for Liverpool and that he was a fan for his whole life,” said Klopp.
“So, I heard now about the legends match and stuff like that. I’m not in charge of that so I can’t say anything about that.
“The only thing I can say is absolutely he’s very welcome to come here and he can sit in my seat in my office and do my job for a day if he wants. That’s no problem.
“Being on the sideline might be a little bit more difficult. To have him here and show him everything and how this wonderful club developed over the years, I think that’s definitely something we will tell him.
“He can come over and have a few wonderful hours here, I’m sure.”
Love Jurgen. Classy guy I think. Anyway, he is the current manager of Liverpool of course and we will see what team he names to face the Cherries shortly. The lineups will be out at half past three and the kick off will be at 4.30pm UK time. Stay with us for news, teams and buildup.