MatchThe opposition lowdown: AFC Bournemouth

Recent form

Bournemouth are unbeaten across all competitions since November 23.

Since that loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, the Cherries have won eight and drawn four of their following 12 fixtures.

Last time out they secured an impressive 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, while a week earlier they defeated Newcastle United 4-1 on their travels to St. James' Park.

The hosts' consistent form has led them to seventh in the Premier League table under head coach Andoni Iraola.

They have amassed 40 points from their 23 top-flight fixtures so far this term, having scored 41 times and conceded 26.

Key players

In the Premier League, Iraola's outfit have spread the goals around throughout the campaign.

Justin Kluivert leads the scoring charts on 11, while Antoine Semenyo has seven, Dango Ouattara has six and Evanilson has five.

In the assist department, Marcus Tavernier leads the way with five, while Ouattara and Kluivert also have four apiece. Semenyo, Lewis Cook, Milos Kerkez and Tyler Adams all have three to their name so far.

Team news

Iraola expects to have the same squad to choose from again this weekend, with Luis Sinisterra back in training after an injury that has sidelined him since October but potentially not yet ready for the visit of Liverpool.

Absentees for the home team are Julian Araujo, Evanilson, James Hill, Alex Scott, Marcos Senesi, Adam Smith and Enes Unal.

Previous meeting

Liverpool triumphed over Bournemouth in the reverse fixture in the Premier League, at Anfield in September.

Arne Slot's side secured a 3-0 victory, netting all three goals in the opening half courtesy of Luis Diaz (two) and Darwin Nunez.

What was said

Bournemouth head coach Iraola

"Definitely it is the biggest challenge probably – they have been the best team, not only in England, I would say even all of Europe, this season. They are top of the league, they have been top of the league in Europe even not going with the first team to the last game. So, it shows the level they are playing at. They just lost one game in the league, against Forest. It's going to be very difficult for us, I know that, but it's also a good challenge. I think we are in a good moment, we are playing well also. I don't know if we will have enough for them but definitely we will try, yes."

Pre-match stats

Bournemouth (unbeaten in 11) and Liverpool (unbeaten in 18) account for two of the three longest ongoing unbeaten runs in the Premier League (Arsenal also 13 without defeat).

The Cherries earned four points from their first four Premier League games against Liverpool (won one, drew one and lost two), but have since taken just three points, while scoring only three times, in the last 11 meetings (won one, lost 10).

Bournemouth (who finished 12th last season) have already beaten Manchester City and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium this season. The last team to win at home against each of the previous campaign's top three sides – having finished in the bottom half themselves – were Blackburn Rovers in 2005-06.

None of the seven Premier League meetings between Bournemouth (two wins) and Liverpool (five wins) at Vitality Stadium have finished in a draw.