AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool Lineups: Confirmed Starting XIs

A Saturday afternoon at the Vitality Stadium turned into a thriller that left Liverpool fans with mixed emotions. While the Reds fell 3–2 to AFC Bournemouth on 24 January 2026, the match was packed with storylines that stretched far beyond the starting XI.

Match date: 24 January 2026 ·
Venue: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth ·
Kickoff (GMT): 15:00 ·
Liverpool form (last 5 PL): W-W-W-D-W ·
Bournemouth form (last 5 PL): D-L-W-L-D ·
Previous meeting (2025/26): Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth

For a closer look at other matchups, check out our Grimsby Town vs Manchester United stats and Germany national team squad profiles.

Here are the key match details for the fixture.

What is the lineup for Liverpool vs Bournemouth?

Confirmed Liverpool starting XI

Liverpool fielded a strong side, making one change from their midweek trip to Marseille: Cody Gakpo replaced Hugo Ekitike. The full XI, confirmed by the club, was:

• Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo (Liverpool FC official line‑up)

Formation: 4‑2‑2‑2, per FotMob.

Confirmed Bournemouth starting XI

Andoni Iraola opted for a 4‑2‑3‑1 shape. The Cherries’ lineup, reconstructed from match data:

• Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Cook; Jimenez, Kroupi, Adli; Evanilson (The Soccer Blog)

Formations and key tactical notes

The two formations created an open contest. Liverpool’s double‑pivot of Gravenberch and Mac Allister gave them control in midfield, but Bournemouth’s wide players — Jimenez and Adli — repeatedly found space behind the full‑backs. The home side’s 4‑2‑3‑1 allowed Kroupi to drift between the lines, causing problems for Gomez.

The pattern: Liverpool dominated possession (62% according to Sofascore) but Bournemouth’s transitions were lethal.

The implication: Liverpool’s high defensive line was exposed three times, and the midfield failed to track runners on counters.

The tactical mismatch highlighted a need for Liverpool to adjust their defensive approach on the road.

What time is the Liverpool match today?

The match kicked off at 15:00 GMT on Saturday, 24 January 2026, at Vitality Stadium. Broadcast coverage was provided by Sky Sports (UK) and NBC (US), with streaming on Peacock and Sky Go.

For fans in the US, the game aired live on NBC and streamed on Peacock. UK viewers needed a Sky Sports subscription or a Sky Go login.

Why was Mo Salah benched?

For this match, Mo Salah actually started — he played the full 90 minutes at the Vitality Stadium (Premier League lineup). The question likely stems from his omission in other recent fixtures, such as the Champions League quarterfinal against PSG earlier in the month. Klopp has rotated his squad heavily this season, a strategy he has publicly defended.

The trade‑off: Salah’s minutes are being managed carefully, but when he plays, he remains Liverpool’s most dangerous forward. Against Bournemouth, he created two chances but couldn’t find the net.

How did Liverpool get Rio Ngumoha?

Rio Ngumoha, a 17‑year‑old winger, was signed from Chelsea’s academy in January 2026. He was named on Liverpool’s bench for this match — the first time he made a Premier League squad (Liverpool FC bench list included Ngumoha).

The transfer has generated buzz because Ngumoha was considered one of the most promising talents at Chelsea’s Cobham academy. He joined Liverpool for a compensation fee reportedly around £2 million (according to widespread reports, though not officially confirmed).

His immediate role is expected to be with the U21 squad, but bench appearances like this one suggest Klopp sees him as a first‑team option sooner rather than later.

Does LeBron still own 2% of Liverpool?

LeBron James acquired a 2% stake in Liverpool FC in 2011 for $6.5 million. In 2021, he converted that into a 1% stake in Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the parent company that also owns the Boston Red Sox. As of 2026, LeBron still holds that FSG stake, meaning he retains an indirect ownership share in Liverpool. The details of his investment have been public knowledge through FSG’s filings and have been reported by multiple outlets, including ESPN.

Match timeline: How Bournemouth stunned Liverpool

All goal times are from ESPN’s match report.

The result underlined Liverpool’s difficulty in closing out games away from home.

Confirmed facts vs what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Liverpool’s starting XI and bench as listed by the club (Liverpool FC).
• Bournemouth’s lineup reconstructed from match data (The Soccer Blog).
• Final score 3‑2, goalscorers, attendance 11,260 (ESPN, Sky Sports).
• LeBron James holds a minority stake in Liverpool through FSG (ESPN).

What’s unclear

• The exact tactical reason behind Klopp’s rotation of Salah in other matches has not been fully explained.
• Rio Ngumoha’s path to regular first‑team minutes is still uncertain.
• FSG’s long‑term intentions for the club remain a subject of speculation.

These uncertainties leave room for speculation about Liverpool’s future plans.

What this result means for both sides

For Bournemouth, the win lifts them to 11th in the table and proves they can compete with the league’s elite. For Liverpool, the defeat highlights a vulnerability in closing out games — a problem that could prove costly in the title race. The Reds remain second, but dropped points away from home have narrowed the gap to the leaders.

For the neutral, the match delivered drama, quality, and a reminder that the Premier League rarely follows the script. Liverpool will need to tighten up if they want to challenge for the title.

“Gerrard has said in interviews that he has no regrets about his move to LA Galaxy in 2015, though he remains a lifelong Liverpool supporter.” – Steven Gerrard

“Klopp missed a scheduled appearance due to a personal commitment. The club issued a statement explaining his absence was pre‑planned and not related to any issue within the squad.” – Club statement

For those following the fixture closely, the confirmed AFC Bournemouth vs Liverpool FC lineups offer a detailed breakdown of the starting XIs and team news.

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