A year after suffering a devastating 9-0 loss at Anfield, AFC Bournemouth is set to face Liverpool again, but this time, newly appointed head coach Andoni Iraola is confident that his team can avoid a repeat of the humiliating defeat.
Reflecting on the past, Iraola stated, "It was one year ago and that is a lot of time. Obviously they know it will always be tough against Liverpool at Anfield, but it is a good chance for us to show how far away we are from them. We have to have a very resilient collective attitude and to suffer those minutes when they are pushing, taking corners and crosses. We will have our moments where we can damage them."
This match marks an opportunity for Bournemouth to demonstrate their progress since that difficult encounter. Despite the challenge, Iraola's optimism shines through as he emphasizes the importance of strategic moments to influence the game.
Having kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw against West Ham United, Bournemouth looks to build on their performance. Iraola revealed his satisfaction with the squad while highlighting the need to reinforce the midfield due to injuries. While he refrained from confirming the pursuit of Leeds United's Tyler Adams, Iraola acknowledged the club's intention to strengthen that area.
Providing an update on the injury front, Iraola mentioned that Lloyd Kelly has recovered and will be available for the match. However, Dango Ouattara and Lewis Cook will remain sidelined. Iraola also noted that Marcos Senesi and Max Aarons experienced minor setbacks but are not seriously injured.
As the Cherries prepare to face Liverpool, Iraola's positive approach and strategic focus provide a promising outlook for the upcoming clash at Anfield.