4 Liverpool stars who must create in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence vs Bournemouth

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s resurgence under Jurgen Klopp this season has been quite something to behold.

The work began towards the end of the last campaign, Alexander-Arnold thriving in an inverted full-back role that allowed him to step into midfield. While also making Liverpool more defensively solid, this tactical alteration enabled the Englishman to be a far more creative influence in the opposition half.

Alexander-Arnold has only got better this season, fully embracing his positional tweak. He has already provided two goals and nine assists in all competitions, almost as many as he produced in the entirtey of last term.

However, the injury he suffered against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round could prove costly to Liverpool this weekend. The Reds are looking to extend their lead at the summit of the Premier League table when they travel to in-form Bournemouth, but they will be without their chief creator.

In his absence, others will have to step up to ensure Liverpool don’t lose ground in the title race on the south coast.

Nunez has been in great form for the Reds / Visionhaus/GettyImages

While Darwin Nunez has faced justifiable criticism for his profligacy, nobody can deny his creative influence. The Uruguayan has 18 goal contributions in 30 games this term, ten of which have been assists for teammates.

Rewind to Liverpool’s most recent outing and Nunez’s impact becomes even clearer. With Klopp’s men a goal down to Fulham in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, the German turned to his number nine from the bench to help change things.

Despite only coming on in the 55th minute, Nunez finished the game with two assists, as well as the most touches in the opposition box, shots on target and take-ons completed of any player on the pitch.

Often aptly described as chaotic, Liverpool will rely on his willingness to make things happen in the final third against Bournemouth. The South American will keep the Cherries’ backline busy, frequently making runs in behind and drifting out to the left flank – where he may start if Diogo Jota plays through the middle.

Nunez is not a conventional creator, but his presence opens games up. Andoni Iraola will need to come up with a plan to stifle the 24-year-old, especially given he netted a stunner against the Cherries earlier this season.

Diaz has been in improved form recently / Julian Finney/GettyImages

Having had plenty of difficulties on and off the pitch this season, Luis Diaz hasn’t been able to provide the same cutting edge he once did with the Reds. In all honesty, the Colombian hasn’t been the same player since his long-term injury during the 2022/23 campaign.

However, he has began to resemble his true self in recent weeks and his performances have vastly improved since the turn of the year. Diaz was electric against Newcastle United on New Year’s Day, playing with the kind of ferocity and relentlessness that made him such a dangerous threat when he first arrived at Anfield.

The winger followed it up with a terrific display against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round in which he netted a well-taken stoppage-time second for the Reds. He has looked more willing to take on opposition full-backs, losing some of the fear that naturally comes after a long layoff.

He may end up starting on the right-hand side this Sunday due to Mohamed Salah’s absence, but he will need to exploit Bournemouth’s high-octane system against whichever full-back he faces by finding space in behind the attacking Max Aarons or Milos Kerkez.

Jones has been a key player for Klopp of late / MB Media/GettyImages

Curtis Jones has really come alive in the Carabao Cup this season. While he has been very strong in general for the Reds, providing great balance to Klopp’s midfield, he has been able to offer greater attacking threat away from the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has three goals in four Carabao Cup outings, including two fantastic efforts against West Ham United in the quarter-final. Jones has been more instrumental in rotated Liverpool lineups, showing courage on the ball as he looks to influence proceedings in the opposition half.

At his best, Jones can be an all-action midfielder, someone capable of making those box-to-box runs and arriving late in the penalty area. With sharp feet and great ball retention skills, Klopp will rely on him up against Bournemouth’s intense press this Sunday.

Without Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai for the trip to the Vitality Stadium, Jones will need to dominate that midfield battle and feed Liverpool’s forward trio.

Bradley was impressive against Fulham last time out / Clive Brunskill/GettyImages

The most obvious man to replace Alexander-Arnold’s creativity at right-back is his understudy Conor Bradley. The Northern Ireland international started against Fulham in the Carabao Cup and was asked to step into midfield to help overload central areas.

However, after an underwhelming team performance in the first half against the Cottagers, Bradley was ordered to stay wide in the second half instead, providing width on the overlap down the right flank. In that role, he truly excelled, consistently punishing the offensive-minded Antonee Robinson.

Bradley put in a confident and mature display, always wanting the ball and looking to take on his opposite number. His youthful exuberance was on full display and he also showed the technical qualities needed to compete for the Reds.

If Bournemouth push up the pitch and Cherries left-back Kerkez is caught in Liverpool’s half, Bradley could be a useful outlet for Klopp as he looks to cover for the irreplaceable Alexander-Arnold.

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