In the new world of social media you tend to get a lot of extreme reactions to sporting events and the Premier League title race is proving to be no different.
Just a few days after it was suggested Manchester City had 'bottled' the title defence following a loss at Newcastle United, Liverpool have now 'choked' following back to back draws against Leicester City and West Ham United.
Instead of being potentially as many as 7 points clear of Manchester City, Liverpool go into this weekend behind the Champions albeit having played one game less. I think it would be foolish to suggest there will be no nerves in the Liverpool squad, but I just believe they have had two difficult fixtures and not performed to the level they can in those games.
As long as the fans don't head to Anfield with a nervous disposition, the players should be able to produce a much better performance against a Bournemouth team who have not enjoyed playing away from the Vitality Stadium. You do feel Liverpool will need an early goal to just ease any tensions at Anfield, but I expect them to have chances against Bournemouth who were beaten 2-0 at Cardiff City last weekend meaning they have conceded two or more goals in 7 straight away Premier League games and lost each one.
In that time Bournemouth have lost 3-1 at Manchester City, 5-0 at Tottenham Hotspur and 4-1 at Manchester United. The recent 4-0 win over Chelsea at home will give them some confidence, but Bournemouth can't ignore those heavy away defeats at the top six clubs over the last two months and the goals being conceded suggest Liverpool can get their title bid back on track here.
Liverpool have looked a little more vulnerable defensively, but Bournemouth are missing both David Brooks and Callum Wilson and that does take away a real threat they would have brought to Anfield. Mohamed Salah hasn't scored in his last couple of games, but he has scored five in three games against Bournemouth for Liverpool including a hat-trick earlier this season which suggests he could be the key for the home team again.
I did back Crystal Palace and Leicester City to keep things close with Liverpool in the last couple of games at Anfield and Bournemouth are being given the same head-start. However they have lost their last 6 away Premier League games by two or more goals and the heavy losses at the top six clubs I have mentioned in a paragraph above means I will back Liverpool to win by a wide enough margin to cover the Asian Handicap on offer.
Prediction: Liverpool - 2 Asian Handicap
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