Liverpool arrive on the south coast unbeaten, but are they yet firing on all cylinders? Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola makes his first return to Bournemouth to set up a fascinating reunion and a huge test for the Cherries off the back of their Europa heroics on Thursday.
Liverpool arrive at Dean Court on Sunday with one important statistic still intact under new head coach Andoni Iraola, and that's that they remain unbeaten. The red side of Merseyside have avoided defeat in each of their opening matches, but their start has hardly been the dominant statement their unbeaten run may suggest.
REUTERS/Phil NobleLiverpool have drawn three of their opening four league games, beating Ipswich 2-0 but being held by Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and, most recently, Fulham. That latest 0-0 draw at Anfield underlined the sense that Iraola's new look side is still searching for its rhythm.
There have still been plenty of positive signs too, Liverpool defeated Atletico Madrid in the Champions League before beating Tottenham 3-1 in the Carabao Cup, suggesting that the ingredients are certainly there for Iraola to build a formidable side.
Reuters/Jason CairnduffIraola Building A Formidable Liverpool Attack
That wealth of attacking talent should suit the style Iraola is trying to establish. His Bournemouth teams were renowned for aggressive pressing, high intensity and forcing opponents into mistakes, and Liverpool have already shown signs of adopting those principles. Andoni has stressed that every player must work hard without the ball, regardless of reputation or transfer fee.
The main man of that attack is Alexander Isak, who has already demonstrated exactly why Liverpool invested heavily in the Swedish striker. Isak scored twice inside the opening ten minutes against Ipswich to give Iraola his first Premier League victory, showcasing the movement, finishing and pace that can make him devastating in transition. And as well as exciting youngsters Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz, Liverpool’s latest statement signing was Bradley Barcola from PSG. The France international arrived from Paris Saint Germain for over one hundred million pounds and gives Iraola another explosive option capable of playing anywhere across the frontline. He made his debut against Ipswich and immediately added another dimension with his pace and directness.
REUTERS/David KleinFor the Cherries supporters, the biggest storyline will be the man standing in the opposition dugout.
Iraola returns for the first time since leaving the club after three transformative seasons, having guided Bournemouth to their highest ever Premier League finish and European football before taking the Liverpool job.
He will be joined on his return by former Bournemouth coaches Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, making Sunday's fixture an emotional reunion as well as a hugely significant Premier League test.
Liverpool's quality is unquestionable, but Bournemouth will know that an unbeaten record does not necessarily mean a team is operating at its best, and the Cherries will hope to exploit any uncertainty following a historic week for the football club on the European stage.
