Liverpool vs. Bournemouth Betting Tips: Back the Reds to pop the Cherries early

There are five Premier League games taking place at the traditional time of 3pm on Saturday and we've asked Tom Winch to preview the game at Anfield between Liverpool and Bournemouth and give us his best two bets for the occasion. 

The start to the Premier League season hasn't gone the way we expected for Liverpool so far, they're currently win-less in the opening three games and host a Bournemouth side who have been blown away by Man City and Arsenal in back to back matches.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are ridiculously short to win this game and at 1/10 it’s not even worth the sweat in adding it into a bet but I’m backing something that Man City and Arsenal managed to accomplish when they played Scott Parker’s side.

Liverpool are back at Anfield which automatically adds that extra firepower despite the poor start, they know they have to win here and should come out with all guns blazing as they look to steamroll a poor Bournemouth side early on.

Man City won the first half 3-0 at the Etihad and the Gunners won the opening 45 minutes 2-0 at the Vitality Stadium. The shot counter inside the first half combining those two matches finished 20-2 and Liverpool should be seeing similar stats on Saturday afternoon, against what is probably the weakest side in the division.

The Reds had 17 goal attempts in their only game at home this season inside the first half, despite failing to score against a resolute Crystal Palace side. If Klopp’s men can take an early lead then the floodgates could open, leading to more and more chances for the hosts, which will be a huge confidence boost going forward.

Given the extremely short odds on offer regarding the hosts here, this is probably one of the more valuable plays. Even with a number of key players absent the squad is more than capable of scoring a handful of goals and they will be on the front foot from the very first whistle.

Adam Smith has been cautioned in all three Premier League games so far for Bournemouth and things won't be getting easier for him on that right hand side of the pitch. Colombian forward Luis Diaz is almost guaranteed to start on the left hand side for the Reds who is a handful for any defender.

Liverpool went to Craven Cottage on the opening day and after 17 minutes Kenny Tete was shown a yellow card, the Dutchman was the right back for Fulham that day. Palace set up with a five man defence at Anfield the following week, Joel Ward was on the right side of the central three and was booked and lastly Diogo Dalot was cautioned at Old Trafford, who was playing right back in the surprise 2-1 win.

With a number of right sided defensive players already picking up bookings against Liverpool and the fact that Adam Smith has been a card magnet for the club from the South Coast, the price on offer at 10/3 certainly appeals and will be my longer priced bet for this clash in Merseyside.