Bar reserve ‘keeper Brad Jones — who get’s the call today ahead of Belgian shot stopper Simon Mignolet — the duo are joined by a whole rash of first team regulars. On th flanks, on-loan Valencia fullback Aly Cissokho is joined by Martin Kelly as the 23-year old looks to build on his last appearance in the 2-0 win over Oldham Athletic in the last round of the FA Cup and possibly stake a claim for a spot in the squad when the Reds face Everton three days from now.
Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure are charged with holding things down in the heart of the Liverpool defence, with a two man midfield of Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson in front of them. This same pairing was overrun time and again against Aston Villa last weekend, and with news that Joe Allen has been ruled out through injury, we could see the same on Tuesday if the Welshman is still unable to join up with the squad.
Victor Moses gets the nod ahead of Raheem Sterling and he’ll join Philippe Coutinho, as well as the much vaunted SAS partnership, up top as the Reds try to wrap things up in as tidy a fashion as possible. From the bench, Rodgers has Mignolet, Alberto, Aspas, Sterling, Ibe, Flanagan and Sama to call upon if the need arises.
On the other side of the park, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will be looking to stunt the visitors attacking impetus early. Former Derby County ‘keeper Lee Camp is given the nod between the sticks today and he’ll have Simon Francis, Elliot Ward, captain Tommy Elphick and Charlie Daniels in front of him.
Harry Arter, noted Liverpool fan Eunan O’Kane and Andrew Surman make up Howe’s three man midfield while Matt Ritchie, Lewis Grabban and Mark Pugh are named in attack. From the bench, Allsop, Cook, Harte, MacDonald, Fraser, Pitman and Rantie are held in reserve.
Be sure to stop by after the match for a full reaction and all the news ahead of Tuesday’s Merseyside Derby.
