Liverpool have made seven changes for this afternoon’s Premier League meeting with Bournemouth as Andoni Iraola returns to his former club for the first time.
The Reds are back in league action after a much-changed side beat Tottenham 3-1 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, with Iraola restoring several of the players rested at Anfield.
Alisson returns in goal, while Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk are recalled in defence. Ronald Araujo moves back to right-back, with Milos Kerkez retaining his place on the left.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister start together in midfield, with Florian Wirtz returning in the No. 10 role after being rested against Tottenham.
Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola start either side of Alexander Isak, who returns to lead the line at the Vitality Stadium.
Lewis Koumas, who impressed in the cup victory over Tottenham, returns to the bench alongside Rio Ngumoha, Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong.
Confirmed Liverpool team
Liverpool: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak.
Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Frimpong, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Munoz, Koumas.
Iraola back at the Vitality Stadium
This is Iraola’s first match back at Bournemouth since leaving the club to become Liverpool manager in the summer.
He knows the challenge awaiting his side. Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League matches at the Vitality Stadium, although Marco Rose’s side are still searching for their first league victory of the season.
The hosts have also had considerably less recovery time. Bournemouth won 2-1 away to Real Sociedad in Europe on Thursday night, while Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham came two days earlier.
Iraola confirmed before the game that Liverpool had no fresh injury concerns. Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable.
The manager has nevertheless been able to restore much of his senior side after Tuesday’s rotation. Wirtz returns behind Isak, with Gakpo and Barcola providing the width as Liverpool look for their second Premier League victory of the season.
Bournemouth v Liverpool
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Date: Sunday, 20 September 2026
Kick-off: 2pm BST
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Liverpool arrive with fresher legs and a largely restored senior side, but Iraola will be well aware of Bournemouth’s strength at home as he makes his first return to the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth vs Liverpool in the Premier League kicks off at the Vitality Stadium at 14:00 BST on Sunday. 20th September 2026.
