Team News via LFC Official
Jürgen Klopp is unsure whether Wataru Endo will make his Liverpool debut against AFC Bournemouth.
The Japan captain became the Reds’ third signing of the summer on Friday and was due to train with his new teammates for the first time shortly after his transfer from VfB Stuttgart was finalised, subject to international clearance and work permit application.
And during his pre-match press conference, Jürgen Klopp said: “OK, Endo is now in and he’s allowed to train this afternoon. If he’s allowed to participate in the game tomorrow, I don’t know, we will see that.”
Klopp reported no fresh fitness concerns ahead of Saturday’s meeting with the Cherries at Anfield but confirmed that, while they are progressing well, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic remain unavailable.
“Stefan Bajcetic, really close but not there yet. Obviously we really count on him,” the boss stated.
“Thiago Alcantara the same – slightly similar profile, obviously much more experienced as well, but not there yet. So, we need to just give them time. We cannot rush that.
“That all will look completely different after the international break but until then we have super-important games.”
Bournemouth, meanwhile, will be able to call on Lloyd Kelly, who missed their season-opening draw with West Ham United through injury, but Lewis Cook and Dango Ouattara will not travel to Merseyside.
Head coach Andoni Iraola told the media on Friday: “I think on the whole, we’re the same on the injury front. The only one to recover from the weekend is Lloyd Kelly, he’s trained with us in the last three or four sessions and will be available.
“The rest of the team is the same. Dango Ouattara will be more weeks, he was still in a boot so I won’t be expecting him back soon.
“Lewis Cook we’ll look at on a more week-to-week basis, he hasn’t been training so won’t be ready for tomorrow.
“Marcos Senesi is training well, he came off with cramp as it was the first game of the season and the same happened with Max Aarons too so it’s quite normal, they’re not injured.”
Last match
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool (August 13): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Salah.
Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham United (August 12): Neto, Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez, Billing, Rothwell, Brooks, Christie, Anthony, Solanke.
🏟 Venue: Anfield
🗣 Referee: Thomas Bramall
💻 VAR: Paul Tierney
⏰️ Kick Off: 15:00 (UK Time)
Official Match Videos
Lineups
Liverpool Starting XI:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gakpo, Szoboszlai; Salah, Diaz, Jota.
Subs:
Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Nunez, Elliott, Tsimikas, Matip, Bajcetic, Doak.
Bournemouth Starting XI: Neto; Aarons, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Rothwell, Philip; Christie, Semenyo, Solanke, Anthony.
Subs:
Radu, Mepham, Hill, Kelly, Kilkenny, Brooks, Kluivert, Traorè, Moore.
Goals
Semenyo 3’ (0-1)
Diaz 28’ (1-1)
Salah 37’ (2-1)
Jota 62’ (3-1)
What a goal! Diaz on fire
Thank god for Diaz!
He was by far our best player last season before his injury. Looks like he is carrying on.
Endo has been tidy and put in a few tackles and even point to other people where to be. Let me know where the line to joint the hero cult is.
Never leave Allison. Never leave
There we go. Now let’s shut it down
Needed that goal. Let’s close it out now
That’s never a red what the hell
I can see why he gave it. But it’s really harsh and I think var should have overturned it. Usually when it’s not a tackle those arnt given.
Think Paul Tierney was VAR today, so….
Penalty!
soft but after that start you take it and run
Let’s go!!!
Worrying that mo missed again but hopefully the goal means he’ll be back to his old self from the spot
Szoboszlai looked sharp, Endo with some good moments as well. Team performed pretty well all things considered, first 10min were making me extremely nervous. Glad they improved from then onwards.
Szoboszlai really looks great. Really excites to watch his growth
Let’s go! Hoping for a 4-0 (I’m always optimistic) and more importantly seeing everyone clicking today.
Also some Endo or Bajetic to come on to end the game calmly for us
Diaz!!!
Crikey what was that defenses. Thank god for offside
Wedit: and again, what the hell
One of the worst starts we’ve ever had. 2 goals, one offside. Bad touches all over the place.
Looks like we might have woken up though.
Edit: ok maybe not that Ali yellow card was also just bad
Madness isn’t it. Wake up!!
Not convinced by Jota up top again but predicting a 2-0 win and endo coming on in the second half to show us what he can do.
One more goal and I win a bet I put on. Come on. Let’s put them to bed so we can get the DMs on in the second half.
First game at Anfield, hoping for first win of the season. #ynwa
Your first game at Anfield? Or just stating that it’s our first game this season? If the former, enjoy it!
Stating that its the first game at an for the season :). Wish I was there!
Grew into the game but need to be better in the defence to not allow Bournemouth back into this
yea felt like we reacted poorly to their high press. gotta be smarter building out the back with the ball
anticlimactic celebration for such an incredible goal
We have more to get