PREM: Bournemouth v Liverpool preview

Bournemouth v Liverpool preview

Liverpool will be without defenders Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez when they travel to Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime.

Gomez is expected to miss up to six weeks after fracturing his lower left leg in the 3-1 win over Burnley on Wednesday.

Lovren will miss the trip to the Vitality Stadium due to concussion, which could mean Joel Matip starts alongside Virgil van Dijk in defence.

Liverpool will go top of the Premier League table if they beat Bournemouth, with leaders Manchester City travelling to Chelsea later in the day.

Asked about the opportunity to put pressure on City, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: "I don't think they feel pressure! They don't look like they do.

"That's not the first target anyway, the first target is to try to perform on the highest level, because it's needed at Bournemouth. Eddie [Howe] is doing a fantastic job there, and it will be difficult enough."

Bournemouth ended a four-match losing run with a 2-1 victory over Huddersfield in midweek.

Eddie Howe does not expect Liverpool to take his side lightly, despite facing a must-win Champions League match against Napoli next week.

"I think they will look at our game as a very important one in their Premier League season. They are not going to take us lightly. We anticipate meeting a full strength Liverpool team."

Bournemouth will be without England midfielder Lewis Cook for the rest of the season because of a serious knee injury.

Midfielder Dan Gosling will also miss the game at the Vitality Stadium with his own knee problem. Defender Adam Smith (knee) continues his rehabilitation.

Liverpool are without defenders Lovren, Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne (muscle).

Sadio Mane is a doubt while Dominic Solanke (groin) is out in addition to long-term absentees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster (knee).

However, left-back Andy Robertson returns to the squad having been rested for the midweek win at Burnley.