Rival Lines: "We've waited 30 years for the Premier League Title," says This is Anfield

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Liverpool v AFCB 
Blogger Interview - This is Anfield
Twitter @thisisanfield

CC: I talked to Henry at This is Anfield just before their latest FA Cup defeat against Chelsea. Although their has been a bit of a slump in Liverpool's results, I don't see a big concern about their performance as they have so many great players, it only takes two or three to have an exceptional game to sweep a side any team in the Premier League. Once they pick up a win I expect they will just put their blip behind them. What I am worried about is that Bournemouth provide them with the perfect game to get back to winning ways.

CC: You are nearing Liverpool's first Premier League title. Can you imagine what the celebrations will be like in the city when you do get over the line?

TIA: I honestly can’t, unless the coronavirus has struck! It will be an incredible party in the city, making last season’s Champions League celebrations pale into insignificance. We’ve waited 30 years for this, so it will be something special to witness. These players will be heroes forever, assuming Liverpool get over the finish line.

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CC: Liverpool's recruitment has been amazing over the last two seasons, but is there a position that you'd like to see strengthened in the summer?

TIA: In terms of the best possible XI, no. This is an incredible team and there are six or seven players who are among the best in the world in their position. A new creative midfielder is the one player that could potentially improve the team further - Kai Havertz has been linked and is a special talent - but it’s more about signing backup players, such as at left-back. Timo Werner would be a great signing in attack, adding even more competition for places. I think that will happen.

CC: What do you think has been Jurgen Klopp's best statement of the season - it could have been something amusing he said, something showing his frustration or his humility?

TIA: Good question! I actually loved what he said the other day about the coronavirus, both in terms of playing down it ruining Liverpool’s season, but also stressing the importance of listening to experts rather than him. He is so modest, which is part of his charm, and realises that he is just a great football manager, nothing more.

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CC: Was the unbeaten run becoming a bit of a burden for the club and more of a big deal for pundits rather than Liverpool's fans?

TIA: I wouldn’t say it was a burden, to be honest, but I think it would’ve been if we’d won the title and still been unbeaten. In a weird way, I am slightly relieved it’s over now, and that it didn’t happen against a rival. Man City ending it, or Arsenal or Chelsea doing us right at the end of the season, would’ve been grim. It was certainly a bigger deal for those looking on from the outside, rather than for Klopp and his players.

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CC: Do the two defeats to Atletico Madrid and Watford as well as the difficult win over West Ham indicate that Liverpool's players could be feeling drained with such a long season?

TIA: I don’t think there’s tiredness necessarily setting in, I just think the winter break has completely killed the rhythm of this side. They were flying, then they stopped, went away and haven’t been able to find their previous level. Since returning, the players simply haven’t look as sharp, and Klopp’s system demands perfection. Watford was particularly terrible. I do think the rhythm will come back, but I must admit I’m very worried about the Atletico Madrid game now.

CC: Are Liverpool coping without Jordan Henderson or is he a bigger miss than you might have expected?

TIA: After a slow start to begin with, this has been Henderson’s best season in a Liverpool shirt. He has been outstanding, especially since November. He finally looks like he belongs as Liverpool captain, but he has not only led superbly, his quality has been great through. He remains one of the most underrated players of his generation, in terms of rival supporters still blaming he is ‘average’. Henderson has been a massive loss since getting injured, with his drive and passion make an enormous difference. We need him back ASAP.

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CC: What have you made of Adam Lallana's time at Liverpool?

TIA: Disappointing. When he arrived in 2014 I had high hopes for him, but he has flattered to deceive too often. Injuries have certainly played a part, but when he is fit, he looks like he is making things happen but actually isn’t. The constant Cruyff turns are painful, and one goal and assist apiece since May 2017 sums it up. He is a strong leader off the pitch, in fairness, and he has had some good moments this season, but he has definitely underperformed at Liverpool.

CC: Do you expect Harry Wilson to play for Liverpool next season or could he be loaned out again or even sold?

TIA: I don’t think he will be at Liverpool next season. He is a good young player, without question, but he is no longer at the Reds’ level, considering they are arguably the best club side in the world. Liverpool are now in a position where they need really top class backup players and I don’t believe Wilson will ever be that good. I see his future lying at someone like Bournemouth - he would be a really good permanent signing for you, in my opinion.

CC: Which game was the most satisfying of the season so far?

TIA: Leicester away on Boxing Day was the most complete team performance - Liverpool were unbelievable that night, at a time when the Foxes were flying. It was 4-0 and could possibly have been more. The Reds were also great at home to Manchester City, winning 3-1 and comprehensively outplaying the champions at a time when the title race was far closer.

CC: Which three teams do you think will be relegated from the Premier League?

TIA: If I had to put money on it, I would go for Norwich, Aston Villa and West Ham. I like Bournemouth as a club, so I hope you stay up. It will be very tight, though, and I’m afraid you will be in for some nervous afternoons between now and May. I wouldn’t bank on the Cherries staying up, I’m afraid.

CC: What have you made of AFC Bournemouth's season and seeing them struggle even with Harry Wilson and occasionally Dominic Solanke in the side?

TIA: Watching Liverpool achieve such incredible things has dominated things this season, and for the first time ever, I feel like I have switched off a little in terms of knowing exactly how everyone else is doing. From what I’ve seen, though, Bournemouth have just seemed too nice a team at times to play against, rarely being able to win ugly or make life tough for opponents. When I see Bournemouth away in the fixture list, it’s a game that always looks appealing on paper, because Eddie Howe tries to play football and that makes it easier to pick you off. It’s admirable in many ways, but also a bit naive. It just feels like your natural cycle in the top flight is slowly edging towards its conclusion. Sorry. Wilson appears to have faded, when fit, while Solanke looks to have been a bit of a disaster, showing why Klopp was right to sell him.

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CC: How do you think Liverpool will line up against Bournemouth considering you have the second leg against Atletico Madrid to follow our game?

TIA: I would go for this: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, OxladeChamberlain, Wijnaldum, Salah, Mane, Firmino.

Klopp may have an eye on the Atletico Madrid game, though, so I may be wrong with a couple of selections.

CC: What is your score prediction for Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth?

TIA: I will go for Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth. A return to winning ways, but not always massively convincing.

CC: Some great answers from Henry. I don't think This is Anfield are that worried about losing a couple of games. If they were to slip up against Bournemouth though then we could see some slightly worried faces in the Kop. Jurgen Klopp has a way with dealing with set-back's he just rubs it off his shoulder. But Bournemouth know they'll be up against it at Anfield and that the mighty Liverpool won't be sure about how they will play considering recent results. It could be an interesting first 30 minutes, Bournemouth's task is to spread the contest over 90 minutes.

Look out for my return question and answers on This is Anfield

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - An Audience with Harry Redknapp

Rival Lines: 'If Klopp wins the title it would be Liverpool's greatest success'

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Match Preview
Liverpool v AFCB

Blogger Interview: This is Anfield
Twitter: @thisisanfield

CC: This week I spoke to Henry at This is Anfield who kindly answered my questions ahead of the game with Liverpool. While Liverpool have been knocked off top spot by Man City this week on goal difference, it has only probably made Liverpool more determined to put on a performance against Bournemouth. There has been a lot of transfer business between the two clubs and I wondered what it felt like fro a Liverpool point of view on that, and what it might be like for the fans if Liverpool really did go on to win the title.

CC: Is the pressure starting to get to Klopp what with the snowy Anfield pitch and the comment about not celebrating when other teams fail to take three points after Kyle Walkers' tweet about Liverpool only drawing with Leicester?

TIA: I don't think so, no. Jurgen Klopp is a naturally passionate character - he openly said when he came to England that he would rub people up the wrong way in the heat of the moment, like when he celebrated on the pitch against Everton.

The snow excuse was a bit of a lame on, in truth, but there is still no doubting it affected Liverpool's playing style.

As for the Kyle Walker stuff, the media typically made it into a bigger thing, when in fact Klopp wasn't critical if him and said he hadn't seen it. He simply said that he wouldn't choose to mock other teams when they drop points.

It's the media trying to paint Klopp as being under pressure more than anything.

CC: Do you see it as a two or three horse race for the tile?

TIA:  Tottenham have crept back into the race from nowhere but I still think it will end up being between Liverpool and Man City once we reach April and May.

Spurs' squad depth isn't as good and they won't keep grinding out ugly wins. Hats off to them for coming back into it, though.

The team was flying in December ,but is it more difficult being league leaders looking at recent games with Crystal Palace and Leicester upping their games for Liverpool?

I think at the end of the day Liverpool have had a string of awkward games, including this weekend's clash with Bournemouth, so I wouldn't put it down to the pressures of being top.

Crystal Palace, Leicester and West Ham are all teams who can cause the big sides problems and they did exactly that to the Reds, who never got going in the latter two.

The performance level has definitely dropped in those games, with injuries playing a major part, but in any normal season drawing with Leicester and West Ham would be no great disaster.

It's only because they have an all-time great City team breathing down their necks that so much is being made of dropped points.

CC: Were you disappointed to see no signings in January or would that have upset the dressing room to bring in players at this stage?

TIA: I have total faith in Klopp, considering how superb he has been in the transfer market since arriving, but it could end up being a chance missed.

I totally understand why he didn't choose to sign anyone, for the reasons you gave, but would it really hurt just to take a gamble on someone, even if he doesn't even end up playing?

I thought it made no sense selling Nathaniel Clyne to you - once again, even if he isn't part of the plans, at least he is there in case of injuries, as Liverpool are currently experiencing at right-back.

But Klopp knows a hell of a lot more about football than me!

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CC: What is the latest on Alexander Trent-Arnold - is on his way back?

TIA: Trent Alexander-Arnold is trying desperately to be fit in time for Saturday's game and his return would be a huge positive. It's a tough call at the moment.

It is only when he isn't playing that you truly realise what an influential presence he is, making endless runs and providing quality from the right.

He is only 20, but he is already such a big player and I fully expect him to captain the Reds one day.

CC: Do you think Liverpool would sell Nathaniel Clyne of Bournemouth make a sensible offer in the summer?

TIA: Yes, to put it bluntly. Clyne is not part of Liverpool's future plans, which is precisely why Klopp was willing to loan him out in January.

He is far from a bad player - he is actually very solid and I expect him to do well for Bournemouth - but the Reds have moved on while he has stood still. Injuries clearly haven't helped.

Bournemouth is his level now, which is not meant to sound disrespectful. He's a mid-table right-back and he would be a strong permanent signing for the Cherries.

CC: What can Bournemouth fans expect to see from Dominic Solanke?

TIA: I like Dominic Solanke. It just never worked out for him at Liverpool, not helped by the fact that he had three world-class attackers keeping him out of the team.

There is a lot of ability in his boots, however, and he has the all-round game to mature into a top striker. He is strong, quick, powerful and knows where the goal is, even though he only scored one for us!

You can never predict the future, and Solanke may never reach his potential, but with regular football and a manager like Eddie Howe spurring him on, he could be a real success story.

CC: What did you make of Liverpool's latest outing against West Ham and do you expect a few changes for the Bournemouth match?

TIA: As mentioned, Liverpool were way short of their best and arguably deserved to lose to an impressive West Ham side. The performance was disappointingly flat from the first minute and you knew from about 60 minutes onwards that a winning goal would never come. The reaction after the final whistle was one of anger from fans, which is pretty mad when you consider the Reds' league position still.

Injuries did a big part in the dropped points, though, with Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum all out. They have all been important, regular figures this season.

We ended up with James Milner at right-back - it could have been Clyne! - and a midfield that had never played together, and it showed.

I won't be panic just yet, but failure to beat Bournemouth would officially mean cause for concern.

CC: What would it mean for Liverpool fans to win the Premier League title - how would Klopp rank alongside Paisley, Dalglish and Shankly?

TIA:  For me personally, and I know many millions of others, it would be Liverpool's greatest success of all time, especially when you look at the team they are up against.

It is tough to put into words how much a Premier League title would mean to the supporters, particularly those like me who only started supporting them in the 1990s.

I'm convinced if it happened, which I still don't think it will, the majority of us will just spend all summer on the ale and forget that real life exists.

Klopp would instantly gain legendary status, as Rafa Benitez did when he won the Champions League, and it would be some way to win his first trophy at Anfield.

You've got me all excited now!

CC: The general trend has been for Bournemouth to buy Liverpool players but do you think Liverpool might be interested in any of Bournemouth's players this summer?

TIA:  David Brooks is the one who looks special to me. I saw him play for Sheffield United against Sheffield Wednesday a few years back - my dad is a Wednesday fan - and he stood out so much.

He has the look of a Klopp player about him, in terms of his creativity, versatility and attitude, so I could definitely seem them eyeing up a move further down the line.

I rate Nathan Ake highly, too, and think he would be an excellent addition to squad. He is better than Lovren and Joel Matip, although Gomez and Virgil van Dijk looks set to be the long-terms partnership.

Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser continue to impress me as well, although I don't think they are quite good enough, or have the potential to be good enough for Liverpool.

CC: What is your score prediction for the match?

TIA: I'm going to go Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth. You will give us a tough game, just like Palace, Leicester and West Ham did, although Brooks is a big loss through injury.

Enjoy the game, but please don't hamper our title chances!

CC: Some very full and honest answers from Henry there. I still believe it is Liverpool's title to win if they can hold their heads. They have the players to do it, but if they do come unstuck at some point I wonder when it would be. Could Bournemouth really do something special at Anfield? I think we would need a full squad that is fully fit and AFCb just don't have that at the moment. Playing Liverpool is always a great game though and AFCB's players will learn every time they go up against such teams. So there is plenty to keep our eyes glued to the match this weekend.

To read more of This is Anfield - visit the site.

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Rival Lines: This is Anfield - Go with the Dutchman - is that van Dijk or Aké?

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Blogger Interview: This is Anfield

Twitter: @thisisanfield

I spoke to Henry Jackson at This is Anfield who was no doubt celebrating this last week after Liverpool's progress to the Semi-Final of the Champions League - big congratulations! The Reds are having a great season and a top four finish looks glued on, but is Klopp getting the vey best out of his squad and should we talking about anyone else but Mo Salah?

CC: Do you feel that Liverpool are still a long way behind some of the other top four teams in terms of their defensive abilities?

TIA: Absolutely not. While Liverpool conceded some dreadful goals earlier in the season, them being poor at the back has become a myth since Virgil van Dijk’s arrival.

He has been colossal, getting the best out of those around him, particularly Loris Karius, who has really impressed.

The whole defensive unit has improved so much, as it showed over two legs against Man City. The supposed best attack in Europe had just three shots on target in 180 minutes!

Defending will never be Liverpool’s very strongest point - they are sometimes capable of capitulating - but they are far, far better than they were pre-Van Dijk.

CC: What's so impressive about Andrew Robinson?

TIA: He’s a gem, both on and off pitch.

Fans weren’t exactly overjoyed when Liverpool signed him, but he has been so consistent, and is arguably one of the Reds’ top three players this season, behind Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino.

He is fast, fit, a great crosser of the ball, a tenacious tackler and a very intelligent all-round footballer, in terms of decision making and awareness.

The fact that he seems one of the nicest men in football is an added bonus.

CC: Where do you think you would be in the league without Mo Salah's goals?

TIA: We would obviously be lower down in the table, but then you can say the same about all the top teams.

Imagine Man City without Kevin De Bruyne, Man United with David de Gea and Tottenham without Harry Kane. Most teams have a star man.

Salah has been an astonishing signing, though, and has arguably made a better start to his Liverpool career than any player in the history of the club. That’s saying something!

Our fans will tell you that Firmino is almost just as important, however, even though he has a more subtle way of showing it. He’s unbelievable.

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CC: Any chance of Liverpool selling Danny Ings back to Bournemouth for next season?
TIA: I like Danny Ings a lot as a person, but I have my doubts about whether he is good enough for Liverpool, especially after such terrible injury problems.

Klopp thinks highly of him as well, but he must be considering moving him on and bringing in a superior back-up to Firmino.

Ings would do a good job for Bournemouth provided he stays fit - he works hard, is better on the ball than some give him credit for and knows where the goal is.

You would love him. [Ed- Well we did have him before Liverpool and Burnley - so we know him well]

CC: Would winning the European Cup with Klopp raise expectations of a Premier League title dangerously high next season?

TIA: Not dangerously high, no.

This is possibly the best Liverpool side I have seen in my lifetime, and they have beaten an imperious Man City team three times in the first four months of 2018.

Regardless of whether we win the Champions League or not - Real Madrid are strong favourites - the Reds will challenge for the Premier League title next season.

The addition of Naby Keita will transform what can sometimes be a one-dimensional midfield, and I expect a few more top players to come in as well.

Would I make us favourites next season? No. But we have a good chance.

CC: Has Oxlade-Chamberlain shown qualities that we just didn't see at Arsenal?

TIA: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s been great, even though a few poor performances have been thrown in here and there.

He looks a far more confident player than the one we saw at Arsenal, and Jurgen Klopp has benefited from playing him in his preferred central midfield role.

He has chipped in with big goals against City, and adds much-needed pace and drive to the midfield.

At 24, he should only improve in the coming years.

CC: There are rumours that Liverpool have been watching Lewis Cook at Bournemouth. Could you see him fitting into Liverpool's midfield or spending time in the reserves?

TIA: I could lie and say I have watched Lewis Cook loads this season, but I haven’t!

From what I’ve seen he does look like a Klopp player though - technically good, plenty of running and a great attitude.

It was nice to see him get on for England recently, and I certainly wouldn’t be unhappy if he came in as a squad player next season.

His potential is clearly big, and it’s always good to keep a nucleus of English players at the club.

CC: Is Loris Karius a keeper that is getting better?

TIA: He has improved so much - who knew a young lad may take time to settle at such a big club?

He has made some bad mistakes, but he has been almost immaculate since coming back into the team, making big saves a looking so much more authoritative.

We have been linked to Alisson, who plays for Roma and Brazil, which would be a fantastic signing, but Loris Karius is making a strong case to be first-choice moving forward.

If he performs like this until the end of the season, Klopp may hold off on bringing in a big name between the sticks.

CC: What are Liverpool going to do for players if Southampton get relegated? - I'm trying not to laugh - really!

TIA: Haha. I saw a Southampton fan blaming us for their potential relegation. Mate, we’ve given you hundreds of millions to go and spend well - you haven’t!

They’ve tried to create some sort of rivalry with Liverpool because we keep buying their best players, but they’re just a bit of an irrelevance, without sounding arrogant.

I wouldn’t be unhappy to see them go down, because they do seem to raise their game against us.

CC: James Milner seems to be eternal, are his legs starting to go?

TIA: He’s another gem who has been a very good signing. His effort levels are astonishing, but he is a MUCH better technical footballer than many give him credit for.

If we got a penalty in the last minute of the Champions League final, he would be my first pick to take it every time.

There’s a reason why he’s been such a popular individual at both Liverpool and Man City - he rarely lets you down and does the right thing time and time again.

He is 32, and his very best days are behind him, so I see him being more of a squad player moving forward.

CC: Any injury worries for this game?

TIA: The two matches against Man City have really taken their toll on the players, so I would expect to see changes made.

We have a number of injuries, though, so Klopp can’t switch things up too much.

Jordan Henderson is back after missing Tuesday’s game through suspension, but Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Emre Can and Adam Lallana are all out.

CC: How will Liverpool line up against Bournemouth?

TIA: I would expect something like: Karius, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Firmino, Ings.

Klopp is really hard to second-guess, so who knows!

CC: We might not get a result in this game, so can you give us a good outside bet for the Grand National?

TIA: I’ll go with The Dutchman at 28/1, mainly because Van Dijk is Dutch, and is a born winner.

Solid logic, right?

CC: Brilliant - at least we can come away from Aintree and can blame a Dutchman if we don't win there and another van Dyke Dutchman at Anfield if we don't win there. Well, AFCB have their own Dutchman in Nathan Aké so maybe This is Anfield is on to something there? AFCB fans love games against Liverpool as we know it will be a goal feast more often than not and while AFCB lost heavily at home it could be a chance for some payback. Jordan Ibe is hopefully raring to go again and I have my fingers crossed that the Champions League match against City has taken a bit out of Liverpool's  fantastic forward three. Thanks to Henry for spending lots of time answering all my questions.

You can relive Liverpool's triumph against Man City on the This is Anfield Blog with a tactical review and you can recall 2.5 Red years under Jurgen Klopp.

T-Shirt competition
Can you win a CherryChimes T-Shirt before the end of the season? Just correct the correct score between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth by Saturday morning 11am to enter. We will pick a winner if there are more than one correct entries.

In other news, AFCB have released details of their Premier League fans' match day experience survey.

This is Anfield sends Rival Lines to Cherry Chimes

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Match Preview: Liverpool FC v AFCB
17 August 2015
Blogger Interview: This is Anfield
Twitter @MattLawson 
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Last week I had the pleasure of talking to Matt Ladson, who writes for the This is Anfield site, and he was happy to give me the full low down on what had been happening at Liverpool over the summer and what we can expect in terms of the players that might give the Cherries a rather tough evening at Anfield on Monday night.

CC: What is the general feeling like with Anfield fans for the new season having seen Gerrard and Sterling depart?

TIA: It's less about those two departures and more about the seven who have arrived. If we'd signed these 7 last summer, we'd have been a hell of a lot better off last season.

The general feeling though is that optimism is pretty low. I myself get optimistic when thinking about a new attack built around Coutinho and Firmino, but there are doubts over Benteke and we can only hope Sturridge returns and stays fit. Then there's the feeling that Rodgers doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes, and has started with Lovren ahead of Sakho, and playing 4231 - a formation that hasn't worked for us since 2009.

CC: How well did pre-season games go for Liverpool?

TIA:As well as pre-season games can go. Not sure why anybody even takes notice of them to be honest, 20 years ago I doubt we even knew the results of most of them. We played pretty crap teams in every game.

CC: Is James Milner the best bit of incoming business that Liverpool have done this summer or does he not excite you?

TIA: Best business, time will only tell. Firmino could be that if he provides the spark and unpredictability we need, even if we have paid a lot for him. Milner though is more efficient business and is definitely a good signing given our squad make-up at present.

CC: How highly do you rate Danny Ings and do you expect him to get more of a chance than Rickie Lambert did in a Liverpool shirt?

TIA: I think he's a good player, but he'll probably end up like Lambert, yes. Which is a shame. I don't understand why we keep signing players who clearly need to be playing regularly to get anywhere near their best form, yet have no plans to play them regularly. Ings will play in Europa, the cups and whenever we're short up front. I hope he forces his way in later in the season.

CC: Christian Benteke reportedly cost £32.5 million. It is expensive to buy from another Premier league club, but would you have preferred a striker from a foreign league?

TIA: Possibly, but then Rodgers has made it clear his desire to sign Premier League proven players - which is a complete myth that this will somehow help the transition. Torres and Suarez are the best two forwards we've signed in the last decade, both came from abroad and didn't need time to find their feet.

CC: Liverpool have had some goalkeeping problems in recent seasons so wa it not much of a surprise to see a young keeper like Adam Bogdan sign for the reds?

TIA: Bogdan's 27, he isn't young. [Ed - not a bad age for a keeper surely?] I can't understand the signing. It's pretty unambitious. If Mignolet gets injured or loses form again, we're not much better off than last season.

CC: You had a win at Stoke last weekend so does that take the pressure off in any way for Liverpool's first home game or would you expect a lot of criticism if you did not get a result against a newly promoted side?

TIA: Somewhat but there will huge expectation to win this game - especially knowing the fixtures that follow these opening two. Getting six points from these two opening games will be essential to keep the pressure off during that run.

CC: A lot has been said about Liverpool's difficult opening fixtures but are you particularly worried about the first 10 games?

TIA: Yes and no, there's that whole idea that the 'top' teams aren't usually in top form early in the season so arguably it's a good time to play them. But then Rodgers should be worried because a poor run in those 10 games will see huge pressure on him.

CC: Brendan Rodgers has brought in Sean O'Driscoll to his coaching staff who is another champion of the 'play from the back game' - had Liverpool been drifting away from their famous passing game?

TIA: Not at all. In Rodgers' first season we passed too much. In his second season we were quicker to get it forward but not long ball, more quick counter attack. Last season we had no identity at all. More concerning is the signing of Benteke and if that will lead to that; Mignolet to Benteke must have been one of our highest pass combinations vs. Stoke, hopefully this isn't a trend.

CC: How do you think AFC Bournemouth will get on in the Premier League?

TIA: I think your opening game will pretty much sum up your season; do well, earn respect, but ultimately not score enough goals. If Eddie Howe can find a system that ensures goals, then your chances will be much better. I think you'll get a few surprise upsets against big sides, but equally struggle when the squad is thin.

CC: Are Liverpool going to make the top four this season?

TIA: Probably not, but much may depend on how the transfer window ends. If United lose de Gea and fail to sign a centre-back, I can easily see us finishing above them. They have huge weaknesses. It will be a close run.

CC: How do you expect Liverpool to line up against the Cherries?

TIA: Either the team that started vs. Stoke, or the team that finished vs. Stoke. My (and most fans') preference would be for the latter.

Mignolet - Clyne - Skrtel - Lovren - Gomez - Can - Milner - Henderson - Firmino - Coutinho - Benteke

CC: Any players that are definitely out of the game?

TIA: Sturridge, Flanagan, Allen, plus the unwanted trio of Balotelli, Borini and Enrique

CC: What is your score prediction for Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth?

TIA: Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth

CC: Thanks for coming on Cherry Chimes Matt. You can see more about how Liverpool fancy their chances against the Cherries at This is Anfield. I don't think there is a good time to play Liverpool but if they are not quite in full swing yet we might hope that AFCB can get something on Merseyside, but it would probably be AFCB's biggest result ever. Philippe Coutinho has already shown the kind of form he is in last week at Stoke. Let's see if the Cherries become a bit better known themselves after this 90 minutes, perhaps they can give Brendan Rodgers just a bit of a headache.

Please also see my return interview with This is Anfield, where I answer Matt's questions to me on AFC Bournemouth ahead of the match.