Andoni Iraola makes his first return to Bournemouth for Liverpool on Sunday in what is sure to be an emotional afternoon for the Spaniard.
Iraola left the Cherries at the end of last season and joined the reds in June, keeping his new side unbeaten in the Premier League but drawing three of their first four games.
“I don’t think they’ve changed too much,” forever he said of his previous side. “They are using mostly the same starting eleven, very few changes. They have lost Marcos Senesi and signed Antonio Silva, who is a very similar player.
“The main ideas and the philosophy… I was also lucky enough to speak Marco Rose before leaving Not much has changed. They continue to be a very dangerous, very good team.”
The Cherries have drawn three and lost one of their top-flight games this season, but enjoyed a momentous result in their history by winning their European opener 2-1 at Real Sociedad. in the Europa League on Thursday
Iraola believes his side playing 48 hours earlier in the 3-1 EFL Cup home win against Tottenham could be a factor.
“We have an advantage,” he said. “Most of the time it’s been the opposite… there should be an advantage.
“I know where we’re going and I know the (positive) stats (Bournemouth) have (at home and) in general … you realize how difficult it is to beat Bournemouth.
“I guess I also have the advantage of knowing them very well. They have the advantage of knowing me very well.”
Former Borussia Dortmund manager Rose says his players need to improve in both boxes but has been encouraged by their “attitude and confidence”.
“All those kinds of things (are) going in a good direction,” Rose said. “I’ve learned to be patient. We’re in a situation where we should have forced wins, but you can’t force it by being impatient or nervous.”
Bournemouth vs Liverpool: Premier League stats, recent form
- Bournemouth have lost 14 of their 18 Premier League games against Liverpool (W3 D1), although all three wins have come at home: 4-3 in December 2016, 1-0 in March 2023 and 3-2 in January 2026.
- Only in 2023/24 have they had a longer winless start to a Premier League season, when they failed to win their first nine under Iraola.
- Having taken the lead in every one of their league games this season, Bournemouth could join Manchester City (January 2004) and Tottenham (October 2007 and December 2023) as the only teams to go five consecutive top-flight games in the lead without winning.
- With 13 draws in their 23 Premier League matches in 2026 (W8, 2), Bournemouth have the highest ratio for a team in a single year in the history of the English top flight (56.5%).
- No team has had more shots on target in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (24), with their six per game under Marco Rose the most under any of the five managers who have taken charge of the Cherries in the competition.
- Marcus Tavernier has scored in four of his last five Premier League appearances for Bournemouth (four goals), having scored just four times in his previous 24 games combined, but has lost all five meetings with Liverpool by a combined 22-2.
- Liverpool have only failed to score in one of their 18 Premier League games against Bournemouth and their average of three goals per game against them (54 in 18 games) is the highest average against any team they have faced at least 10 times in the competition.
- He has drawn three of his first four games (W1) in a Premier League season for the first time since 2005/06, when he drew his fifth game as part of a campaign that remains the only time Liverpool have drawn four of their first five league games in a season.
- With a clean sheet in each of their last two Premier League games, Liverpool have kept more than they have in their previous 13 games combined (one) and could go three in a row without conceding for the first time since a run of four between May and September 2024.
- This will be the first time a Liverpool manager has faced one of his former Premier League clubs since March 2015, when Brendan Rodgers won 1-0 at Swansea City.
- Reds managers are unbeaten in seven against former teams (W5 D2), since Kenny Dalglish lost 2-0 at Newcastle in April 2012.
Where to watch Bournemouth vs Liverpool: TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off on Sunday is 14:00 BST (09:00 ET / 06:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra.
Streaming is via Sky Go, which is available on a range of devices for viewing on the move.
road Now the televisionSky Sports costs £14.99 for a daily subscription, £27.99 a month for a 12-month subscription or £34.99 a month without a contract.
Here is the full list of Broadcasters of the Premier League in different territories.
