Liverpool learned a harsh lesson against Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Buoyant after a perfect 3-0-0 start under new manager Arne Slot, the Reds were blanked, 1-0, at home by the Tricky Trees in a defensive masterclass and watched as their title-chasing rivals took care of business to get some early, unexpected separation.
It was a bitter pill for Liverpool to swallow after Slot’s first three matches in charge went off without a hitch and got tongues wagging about Liverpool being a true contender with Manchester City and Arsenal, but that’s life in the Premier League these days. It’s as deep as ever.
Liverpool did respond with an impressive win at AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, but now it reutnrs home to face a dangerous Bournemouth side that has acquitted itself in the early stages of the campaign.
Will the Reds get back on track in the Premier League as a -360 favorite at FanDuel?
Or is this Bournemouth team worth a punt at a big price?
Premier League: Liverpool vs. Bournemouth odds, pick
Andoni Iraola has turned Bournemouth into a fashionable, dangerous side in just over a year.
The Spaniard wants his Cherries to be brave and open to taking risks with or without the ball. Molded in a similar fashion to Jurgen Klopp’s teams, Bournemouth has no fear of pressing any team high up the pitch.
In previous seasons, this would be welcome news for Liverpool.
The Reds were a pressing juggernaut during the Klopp years, but Slot seems to value a more measured approach from his side.
Perhaps that will change over time as the team and coach get used to one another but, for now, it seems like Liverpool is taking things down a notch.
That stylistic adjustment should change the outlook for this match.
A more pragmatic Liverpool means fewer opportunities for Bournemouth to pounce on mistakes and go the other way.
That could force Bournemouth to sit deeper and play things closer to the vest.
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That’s exactly how Nottingham Forest played and the result was that the match turned into a rock fight with Forest coming out on top.
We could see something similar play out in this contest.
It’s a hefty task, but Bournemouth is a team that the betting market has believed in for the better part of a calendar year and its already put forth some valiant efforts against Newcastle and Chelsea.
Bournemouth is worth a sprinkle at this kind of price.
The Bet: Bournemouth (+900, FanDuel)
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Michael Leboff handicaps the EPL, NHL, golf and anything else that isn’t the NFL and NBA for the NY Post. He’s up 49.73 units betting EPL with a 7.17% ROI.