Liverpool will be heading to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday (November 1) in scintillating form.
Fresh off a 3-0 victory at home to Nottingham Forest, the Reds are finding their stride this season as they sit fourth in the Premier League after 10 games. Two consecutive wins where Liverpool also claimed clean sheets have put Jürgen Klopp's side in imperious form as they take on a struggling Bournemouth in the last 16 of the EFL Cup.
The Premier League side earned their first win of the season when they defeated Burnley 2-1 this past weekend which ended a nine-game winless run that included defeats to Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Liverpool.
The two clubs met on the second match-day of the season at Anfield as the away took the lead within three minutes thanks to a goal from Antoine Semenyo.
Liverpool responded in kind with Luis Díaz equalising in the first half before Mohamed Salah scored despite missing a penalty. Diogo Jota made it three in the second half as the Reds secured the three points despite the early scare in the fixture.
Three months after their clash, they meet again as Bournemouth have an opportunity, albeit an unlikely one, to cause a shock in the EFL Cup and advance to the quarter-finals of the domestic competition.
The tournament is one that Liverpool have won nine times - more than any club - and last won it in the 2021/22 season when they defeated Chelsea on penalties.
It's a competition they were bounced out in the fourth round last year by Manchester City and was eventually won by rivals Manchester United.
With an improved and younger squad this campaign, Klopp will be hoping his players could go on yet another cup run to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet that has stayed filled in the last few years at the club.
However, with nothing to lose, Bournemouth will certainly be gunning for it and will create a storm that Liverpool must try and contain.
LFC Globe Verdict
There will certainly be changes to Liverpool's starting line-up in the game, however, the likes of Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez will be making cameos should the result not be going the right way for the side.
I predict Liverpool make a long run in the EFL Cup that will begin with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Bournemouth who look destined for relegation if their early season form is anything to go by.
