Liverpool recall Mac Allister, Kerkez and Gakpo for Bournemouth trip
Liverpool have recalled Alexis Mac Allister, Milos Kerkez and Cody Gakpo for their Premier League visit to Bournemouth on Sunday. Victor Munoz, Ryan Gravenberch and Kostas Tsimikas drop out of the starting side for the 14:00 kick-off at Vitality Stadium, according to The Guardian.
The game takes place on 20 September 2026 in the 2026/27 season. The Premier League lists Sky Sports as the live broadcaster for the fixture Premier League. Michael Oliver is the referee, and Liverpool's ticket page lists the away end as sold out.
Liverpool start in a 4-3-3, which is four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. Alisson is in goal behind Araujo, Van Dijk, Jacquet and Kerkez. Mac Allister joins Szoboszlai and Wirtz in midfield, with Gakpo, Isak and Barcola leading the attack.
The bench keeps options open. Mamardashvili, Gomez, Tsimikas, Munoz, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Koumas and Ngumoha are the named substitutes. Tsimikas, Munoz and Gravenberch can all return from the bench if needed.
Bournemouth answer with a 4-2-3-1, which is four defenders, two deeper midfielders, three attacking midfielders and one striker. Petrovic starts in goal with Truffert, Hill, Silva and Smith in defence. Adams and Scott sit in front of the back four, while Tavernier, Christie and Rayan support Evanilson.
Bournemouth's replacements are Di Gregorio, Cook, Soler, Brooks, Gannon-Doak, Diakite, Sanchez, Toth and Jebbison. Kluivert misses the match and Junior Kroupi remains out with a long-term injury.
History favours the visitors, but not entirely. Bournemouth have lost 14 of their 18 Premier League games against Liverpool, with three wins and one draw Liverpool FC. All three of those wins came at home. The last 10 meetings have produced 40 goals, an average of four per game.
Recent games have swung both ways. Evanilson and Alejandro Jimenez put Bournemouth 2-0 up inside 33 minutes on 24 January 2026, Van Dijk pulled one back before half-time, and Bournemouth still found a last-gasp winner Reuters. It was very different in August 2023, when ten-man Liverpool came from behind to win 3-1 with goals from Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota Reuters.
Demand has been high. Bournemouth put home tickets on sale from Tuesday 18 August, with an initial 21+ home points requirement for supporters AFC Bournemouth.
What makes this stand out is the mix. Liverpool arrive with fresh faces in key areas. Bournemouth have home memories to feed off. A packed Vitality Stadium rarely stays quiet for long.
