Liverpool Starting XI vs Bournemouth: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

Liverpool Starting XI vs Bournemouth: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup Liverpool Predicted XI vs Bournemouth as Van Dijk, Alisson and Wirtz Return Liverpool should go strong at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, and there is no mystery about the main changes. Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Florian Wirtz are all expected to come back into the starting side after being held back in midweek. That makes sense. Squad management matters, particularly this early in the season, and Andoni Iraola has no reason to overcomplicate it. Van Dijk and Wirtz were given a complete rest against Tottenham, while Alisson stayed on the bench as Giorgi Mamardashvili turned in a performance that did little to raise a serious selection debate. Iraola confirmed the injury picture remains stable ahead of his return to Bournemouth. “Everyone is ready to go,” the Spaniard said. “We are in the same place we were, three long-term injuries plus Federico [Chiesa]. The others, no, nothing. We still need to train tomorrow and travel, but everyone is fine.” Van Dijk and Alisson to stiffen Liverpool spine Start with the obvious. Alisson returns in goal. Van Dijk returns in defence. Liverpool are better with both in the side, full stop. With Joe Gomez withdrawn at half-time against Spurs in what was described as a planned change, Jeremy Jacquet looks the likely partner for the captain. At full-back, Araujo and Milos Kerkez appear set to keep their places. That gives Liverpool a back four with enough recovery pace and enough authority in the air, which will matter away from home. Florian Wirtz backed despite slow start Wirtz has had criticism already, which says more about the impatience around expensive signings than it does about his football. He is still expected to start as the No 10. Iraola could move Dominik Szoboszlai further forward after his goal in midweek, especially with Alexis Mac Allister also scoring, but Wirtz remains the likelier choice. That would leave Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch as an alternative pairing deeper in midfield, though Szoboszlai may still be preferred in a more balanced setup. Liverpool have options there, and they are good ones. Alexander Isak key in Liverpool attack Up front, Alexander Isak should lead the line again. He has gone three games without a goal, and strikers get judged on that quickly, but Liverpool need his movement as much as his finishing. Cody Gakpo, after a goal and an assist against Spurs, is effectively impossible to leave out right now. Bradley Barcola could then come in on the left, allowing Gakpo to shift across. That gives Liverpool pace, directness and enough fluidity around Isak to trouble Bournemouth. Predicted Liverpool XI at Bournemouth Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak. Liverpool injuries remain unchanged, with Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa sidelined. Kick-off is 2pm BST on Sunday, September 20 at the Vitality Stadium.