Bournemouth v Liverpool: Live matchday blog
Liverpool returned to winning ways with an impressive 4-0 victory at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino got the goals to move the Reds back into the top four.
'The full package' - Klopp's verdict
The manager discussed a fine win, the race for a top-four place, Andy Robertson's form, Mohamed Salah's 20-goal haul and more at his post-match press conference. Click here to read a summary.
Klopp: "I'm really happy about the full package we showed today."
Full Time
And there goes the final whistle. A comprehensive win earned by a ruthless attacking display from the Reds.
Coutinho, Lovren, Salah and Firmino got the goals that see Liveroool move back into the top four ahead of next Friday's meeting with fifth-placed Arsenal.
We're back to winning ways in style!
Three minutes added on here
Nearly quite the impact from Ings, as he collects Lallana's pass and shoots into the side-netting.
Substitution
A third and final change for Liverpool, as Ings comes on for Coutinho.
The No.28, who started his career with Bournemouth, gets warmly applauded by both sets of fans.
Oxlade-Chamberlain shoots wide after getting in down the right. Liverpool looking for more goals, here.
Substitution
A second sub for Liverpool, with Solanke replacing Firmino.
Our No.9 was outstanding today.
Coutinho is so, so close to making it five.
A sweeping break from the Reds ends with Firmino crossing for his fellow Brazilian, but he mistimes his finish and the ball runs clear.
Yellow Card
Lallana goes into the book for a foul on Ibe.
Substitution
A first change for Liverpool, and it's Adam Lallana who comes on for Mo Salah.
Firmino gets in on the act with a glancing, diving header from a wicked inswinging delivery from Coutinho.
The Reds have been ruthless today.
Goal
FIRMINO!!!
Oxlade-Chamberlain hits the post! He did wonderfully well to dispossess Ibe, then drove forward and struck the outside of the post with a left-footed shot.
Then, at the other end, Mignolet gets down smartly to palm Defoe's effort away.
Fraser shoots into the side-netting after collecting Defoe's backheel.
That man Mo...
Salah nearly gets in again as he seizes on a loose header from Ake and tries to cut in on his left foot, only for his control to let him down.
Kick-Off
Firmino gets the second half up and running.
Half Time
There's the half-time whistle and the Reds are in complete and utter control here at the Vitality.
Fantastic individual efforts from Coutinho and Salah have sandwiched a brave diving header from Lovren to ensure Liverpool are comfortable at the break.
It's goal number 20 (yes, twenty) of the season for Mo Salah!
He beats Daniels all ends up down the right, darts inside and shoots into Begovic's far post. Brilliant, Mo!
Goal
SALAH!!!
A sensational one-two between Salah and Coutinho ends with the Premier League's top scorer volleying straight at Begovic from close range.
It could, and maybe should, be 3-0.
Defoe hits the post! The striker races onto a throughball and beats Mignolet with a low shot, but the ball rebounds off the inside of the post and away.
A slice of fortune for the Reds, there.
Execution and celebration...
And it's 2-0!
The Reds are utterly dominant here and Dejan Lovren has doubled our lead with a diving header from Roberto Firmino's hooked cross.
The No.6's first goal since October 2016!
Goal
LOVREN!!!
Wow! That was a bit special from Phil!
The No.10 links up well with Robertson, dips inside into the area and onto his right foot and sends a low shot past Begovic at his near post.
Liverpool deservedly ahead.
Goal
COUTINHO!!!
Action shot...
Now Salah cuts inside and curls a left-footed shot over the bar. Great early pressure from the visitors, can we make it pay on the scoreboard, though?
Yellow Card
Ake goes into the book for a cynical trip on Firmino and Coutinho strikes the post with the resulting free-kick from 20 yards.
The Reds on top here.
Impressive pace shown by Lovren to beat Defoe to the ball as the Bournemouth striker looked to latch on to a forward pass.
Close!
Oxlade-Chamberlain sends in a cross from the right, which Coutinho meets with a looping header that just clears Begovic's bar. A good start from the Reds.
Kick-Off
And we're under way...
A peek inside the dressing room...
He's back...
...in our matchday squad and also at the club he started out at and later spent some time at on loan in 2007.
Welcome back, Adam.
Today's line-ups...
TEAM NEWS
Jürgen Klopp has made four changes to his starting line-up for today’s game.
Simon Mignolet, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain come into the Reds’ team, with Loris Karius, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane among the substitutes. Adam Lallana also returns to the bench, but Emre Can misses out due to suspension.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Gomez, Lovren, Klavan, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coutinho, Salah, Firmino.
Subs: Karius, Milner, Mane, Lallana, Ings, Solanke, Alexander-Arnold.
Jürgen Klopp and his squad will shortly arrive at the Vitality Stadium and we'll then have confirmed team news for you directly from the away dressing room, at around about 3.30pm GMT.
Words from the Cherries' skipper...
Bournemouth captain Simon Francis is fulsome in his praise of a 'very strong' Liverpool team in the matchday programme...
"They are having a great season and look very dangerous in attack, so we know we must be at our best to get something from the match today," Francis writes.
The stage is set...
View from the opposition
Eddie Howe feels he shares a philosophy with Jürgen Klopp and does not intend to alter Bournemouth's style for the visit of Liverpool.
"I think we have a lot in common in that respect. Our first thought is always to be positive, take the game to the opposition and to be brave in all aspects of our play. I don't think we should change from that, we have tried the other way and it doesn't suit us," said the Cherries boss.
"We know how big a challenge it will be, Liverpool have added quality and in attack they excel with their pace, technique and movement. They're a formidable outfit and they're getting better and improving all the time."
Here's how the Premier League table looks ahead of today's fixtures, with West Bromwich Albion hosting Manchester United before the Reds face Bournemouth...
Stat attack
Impress your mates with these before kick-off...
- No Liverpool substitute has ever scored against Bournemouth
- A draw or better would lift the Reds to 700 points away from home in the Premier League
- The Cherries have only beaten Liverpool once - in this fixture last season
Speaking of Salah, the boss has been discussing the fitness and form of the Egyptian - who has not only scored the most goals but played the most games for the Reds so far this season.
"It is true he starts often. It's because he is in a very, very good moment and it is difficult to think about leaving him out," said Klopp.
"He is always a natural fit player. We talk a lot to the medical department and it is really rare that [there are] any issues with him. You don't hear that he's had a problem here or a problem there, that's a big thing."
Sadio Mane v Mohamed Salah
No, not a separate fixture but a pace debate that has been ongoing since Mr Salah joined the Reds in the summer. The discussion might be over, however, as Sadio has confirmed just who is the quickest. Click the pic to find out...
Weather
Here at Liverpoolfc.com we have impeccable weather sources and today they are telling us to expect a cloudy afternoon on the south coast.
Temperatures are hovering at an acceptable eight degrees but you probably don't need us to tell you to wrap up if you're at the Vitality Stadium.
What are the odds?
Here is how BetVictor price this one...
Bournemouth - 21/4
Draw - 18/5
Liverpool - 11/20
Click here for more details.
Snapped
Our photographers were at Melwood on Friday to check on preparations for the trip to Bournemouth...
See everything Jürgen Klopp had to say ahead of the encounter with our full video from Friday's press conference, available free on YouTube below...
Team news
So, what do we know about the likely line-ups today? A fair bit, actually.
Simon Mignolet will return in goal for Liverpool, while Adam Lallana could be included in the Reds squad against a team for whom he played four games on loan once upon a time.
Daniel Sturridge, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson and James Milner required checks on knocks ahead of kick-off, while Alberto Moreno, Joel Matip and Nathaniel Clyne remain unavailable.
Tale of the tape
You can compare the two sides' Premier League form so far this season with our handy Opta tool below.
2017-18 2017-18
Welcome
The frantic festive fixture schedule continues today, with the Reds on the south coast to take on Bournemouth in the Premier League.
And, if you're not at the game this afternoon, the best place to be is here with us as we bring you all of the build-up, action and reaction with our live blog from the Vitality Stadium.
Let's do it...