AFC Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola, has been speaking to the press ahead of his sides fixture against Liverpool this weekend.
With deadline day looming, and the Cherries in need of a striker, Iraola confirmed that the Cherries are looking to sign some fire power before the 3rd of February deadline: “Yes we are trying (to sign a striker), but it’s not an easy market. Most things happen in the last two or three days (of the window) but as a coach I am much more interested in the game we have tomorrow.”
Given Bournemouth’s current goalscoring form, with 16 goals in there last four games, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a new striker would struggle to fit into the team. However, Iraola disagrees with this sentiment saying: “We are really thin. I think we need players because we still have to recover the ones (injured players) we have.”
Looking ahead to the game against Liverpool, the Spaniard stressed how tough the task will be if his side are to overcome the league leaders: “It’s definitely the biggest challenge, they’ve been the best team, not only in England, but in Europe. They have only lost one game in the league so it’s going to be very difficult for us, it’s a good challenge”.
When the two sides met earlier this season, the Reds ran out 3-0 winners, with Darwin Nunez scoring and Luis Diaz bagging a brace, however Iraola feels the scoreline was somewhat harsh on his players: “I don’t think it was a very bad game from our side. They were the better side and beat us 3-0. Their offensive power is very good and we lost our heads for a while”.
Bournemouth’s injury struggles have been well documented this season, and Iraola provided an update ahead of the weekend: “I think it’s basically going to be the same squad we had against Forrest the other day. The only player that has started doing things with us is Sinsterra, from the ones injured”.
With several first team players injured, Cherries fans will be relieved to learn that the club has no intention of letting any players leave in what remains of the window: “I don’t think anyone is going to leave, but in the market you never know what is going to happen. Let’s wait and see what happens – maybe we will have an offer of crazy money for someone”.
Bournemouth take on Liverpool at 3 o’clock tomorrow at the Vitality.
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