Underdog Cherries must stay focused to best league leaders Liverpool

AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has claimed his side must stay focused and limit mistakes if they are to defeat the Premier League leaders Liverpool at the Vitality this Sunday. 

When asked in his pre-match press conference about his sides chances in the clash Iraola expressed “If we play like we did in the other two games we have a chance.”  

“We are underdogs we are facing the top team; they are very good defensively offensively”.

Iraola’s team have played Liverpool twice this season, once at home in November, a 2-1 defeat in the EFL Cup and once in the Premier League at Anfield, a game the Cherries lost 3-1.

However, Bournemouth go into this tie with a new found confidence owed to their terrific form in December which saw them play 6 games, 4 of which they won and lost only 1.

“We have shown this season if we have our day if we don’t make mistakes, we are focused we do a lot of good things we can have a chance”  Iraola stated. 

Talisman Dominic Solanke has been on red hot form with 12 goals this season, just 2 shy of Liverpools Mohammed Salah who misses the game due to his African cup of nations participation.

Solanke will be hoping continue this form in 2024, right off the back of a Premier League player of the month win, and the game against his former side will prove the perfect platform.

Iraola confirmed that fullbacks Adam Smith, Ryan Fredericks and Milos Kerkez will remain out due to injury but defender Lloyd Kelly is open to a return.

Star centre back Marcos Senesi will also be a huge miss for Bournemouth due to suspension.

The Cherries boss was also quizzed on the departures of midfielders Joe Rothwell and Hamed Traore this week “They are moves that are good for everybody and they are players that wanted more minutes”

When asked if the duo had a future in Bournemouth Iraola replied “Yea I think so, they have shown they are good players”.  

The coach was also quizzed on potential incomings for his team where he responded “It will depend on departures we have, how Tyler Adams recovers. We will probably need someone in the middle.”