After a passionate, but ultimately disappointing first ever top flight game from Eddie Howe's men, AFC Bournemouth have the difficult task of facing Liverpool at Anfield in their second game of the season.

The iconic stadium, 264 miles away from Bournemouth's lesser known Vitality Stadium, is a terrrifying trip for even the best of teams, let alone the Premier League's new boys, who have played 1 top flight fixture in their history, with this fixture being last weeks gutting 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.

The Last Match

The Cherries came out storming, with the energy from the home crowd clearly giving the players that extra edge. Having come close many times throughout the first half, Eddie Howe took his men down the tunnel at half time to a match still in deadlock, with neither side having fully capitalised on their chances.

When the players emerged once again from the tunnel, Aston Villa began to take control and look much more composed than the Cherries. This paid off for the Villans, who, in the 72nd minute, took the lead through a header from new boy Rudy Gestede. The score stayed at 1-0 until the final whistle, leaving AFC Bournemouth fans disappointed, but not let down by the home side.

Despite playing well for a majority of the match, Bournemouth lacked composure when in front of goal, seeming to thrash at the ball numerous times. However, they were able to create their chances and did not seem phased by Aston Villa's status as Premier League regulars. They kept the ball well and created more than enough chances but, as previously mentioned, they were not clinical in the final third, something that could cost them dearly in the Premier League.

Key Players

When you compare this to last season, the Cherries strikers were composed in front of the goal, with Callum Wilson alone scoring 20 goals in the process of becoming Championship champions on a dramatic final day in England's second division. The travelling fans will be hoping to see Wilson come into the form he finished last season on when they face off against Rodgers' side on Monday night.

However, Wilson is not the only player who can make a difference for the South Coast squad, with numerous others having the capability to change a game in their favour. Wilson's strike partner from last season, Yann Kermorgant, came off the bench in last Saturday's loss, being dropped to the bench with new boy Joshua King selected over the Frenchman. Bournemouth are more than just goalscorers though, with their widemen both playing for the squad since their League One days.

Scotland international Matt Ritchie and fan favourite Marc Pugh have both been first team players since League One, and were both key to last seasons success. Ritchie, who achieved a fantastic 13 goals and 17 assists, was also named in the Chamionship Team of the Year, as well as achieving his first international call up for his native Scotland. Although Pugh may not look as good on paper, he scored one of Bournemouth's two hat tricks last season, with Brett Pitman grabbing the other.

Bournemouth will be without the injured Harry Arter, brother-in-law of former England midfielder Scott Parker, and Eddie Howe is still unsure of when the Irishman's return to action will be.

The Opposition

Although Bournemouth have sold all available tickets for the fixture, the travelling fans will have to cheer the loudest they've ever had to if they wish to drown out the Liverpool faithful, with the Kop full of enthusiasm for the new season after Brendan Rodgers has splashed the cash to strengthen the squad.

New signings Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino will hope to make an impact on their first competitive home game in a Liverpool shirt, whilst the newly recruited defensive pairing of Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez will hope to keep up their fantastic form of last weeks opener against Stoke City at the Brittania stadium. Gomez, an unexpected starter after making only 15 starts for Charlton last year, received a majority of the plaudits for his solid defensive display, although once or twice he did allow the Stoke attack past him. 

The Reds midifeld is also a huge talking point this year, with discussions of Liverpool's many players capable of starting every week. After consistent performances last season, newly appointed captain Jordan Henderson is all but guaranteed to start, whilst the debut of James Milner, who was brought in on a free transfer after his contract with Manchester City expired, showed what the citizens were missing out on.

So with two spaces filled in a midfield which will likely include 3, the last space is to be between Emre Can or Lucas Leiva, although the Brazilian has allegedly had a spat with Brendan Rodgers after being told he is no longer needed on Merseyside.

So, with the three central midfielders accounted for, it is believed that Brazilian duo Philippe Coutinho and Firmino are likely to start behind the striker, although Lallana, who grew up in Bournemouth, and Ibe are also options who will only add to the Reds attack.

With Liverpool's squad looking debatably stronger than the previous two seasons, where these two sides have met three times on the South Coast in domestic competitions, Eddie Howe will not be sleeping easy tonight, planning his tactics and starting 11 in his head. But he could sleep easy tomorrow if his side can shock not only the Premier League, but the country as well.

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