Liverpool go to Bournemouth with Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Florian Wirtz expected to come straight back in after the midweek Carabao Cup win over Tottenham. The selection issue is less about the trip itself and more about what Arne Slot does with a returning spine, Cody Gakpo's strong start and Alexander Isak's search for a goal.

Carrick's role change

Wirtz has taken some criticism for a slow start, and his 6.49 league rating reflects that. He is expected to be restored for the Bournemouth game anyway, which tells you Liverpool are still treating him as part of the core rather than a player on the edge of the side.

Van Dijk's return looks more straightforward. He has started four Premier League matches this season and carries a 7.07 rating in league play, so his place at the back should calm a defence that has not looked entirely settled in the early weeks.

Alisson's recall also matters because Liverpool are not in a position to waste time experimenting in a tough away fixture. Even with the changes, Slot is unlikely to want a completely new look, just the familiar first-choice pieces back in the right places.

The attack still carries the pressure

Gakpo has a goal contribution in all three of his Premier League appearances this season, which gives Liverpool one forward arriving with rhythm. Isak is on the other end of that scale. He came on against Tottenham and should lead the line again, but he is trying to avoid four games without a goal.

That split is the most interesting part of the team news. Liverpool are expected to restore players who should improve the structure, but the questions up front are still about output. If Gakpo keeps producing and Isak finds one, the reshuffle will look a lot cleaner. Bournemouth can still make this awkward, though, especially with Liverpool drawing three of their last five league matches.

Andoni Iraola's side have also drawn three of their last five Premier League games, so they are not arriving as easy opposition. Liverpool have won four of the last five meetings, but Bournemouth's 3-2 home win in January 2026 is the reminder that this fixture can turn messy if the visitors are loose at either end.

The expected changes point to a stronger Liverpool XI, but the real test at the Vitality is whether the return of Van Dijk, Alisson and Wirtz finally matches the more encouraging edge Gakpo has shown and gives Isak a clean route out of his scoring run.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →