Still searching for his first win as Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp returns to Anfield on Wednesday as his team host Bournemouth in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.

Eddie Howe's side are in need of a confidence boost having failed to win any of their last four games in the Premier League, where they currently reside 17th in the table.

Liverpool

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There is an optimistic feeling around Anfield these days following the appointment of new manager Klopp, but the frustration in the team's inability to see off games remains as the German coach's three matches in charge have resulted in draws.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss has reiterated to the fans that he is not a miracle worker, particularly with the number of injuries that he has had to contend with since replacing Brendan Rodgers.

The team have been short up front as both Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge are nursing injuries, but they have been boosted by the return of Christian Benteke, who scored what looked to be the winning goal before Sadio Mane struck in the 86th minute of last weekend's 1-1 draw against Southampton.

The priority for the Merseyside outfit this season is to fight for a Champions League place, but a piece of silverware would not be shunned by the Anfield crowd as they have not experienced winning a trophy since lifting the League Cup in 2012.

This competition could provide a decent platform for Klopp to get the club back to winning ways, but under Rodgers, it was not the perfect start that the supporters would have hoped for.

To get to the fourth round of the competition, Liverpool had to overcome League Two side Carlisle United, who were the major underdogs heading to Anfield, and while the Reds managed to get the job done, it was much more hard fought than anticipated.

The Premier League outfit were pushed to a penalty shootout after none of the players in extra time added to the goals scored by Ings and Derek Asamoah inside the first 90 minutes.

Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties after converting just one goal from 47 attempts, and with a clash against Chelsea coming up this weekend, a similar outcome against Bournemouth would certainly not be ideal.

Recent form: W
Recent form (all competitions): WDDDDD

Bournemouth

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The Cherries entered the Premier League for the first time in history in August on the back of a fairytale story, but the club's current predicament is far from idyllic.

Howe's team have been unlucky at times having had a handful of refereeing decisions go against them, including a goal that never should have stood in their 1-0 defeat to this week's opponents Liverpool in the Premier League in August.

The bad luck that they have received during games is nothing compared to the injury crisis that they have had to endure in the first few months of the campaign.

Summer signings Tyrone Mings and Max Gradel are unlikely to be spotted again this season due to serious injuries, while the team's leading goalscorer Callum Wilson is expected to be out until April with knee ligament damage.

Added to that, the club's captain Tommy Elphick is likely to be absent for around another eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his ankle.

As a newly-promoted side with inexperience of the league, Bournemouth were never expected to be challenging the teams in the higher echelons of the table, but there is likely to be a dent in confidence following back-to-back 5-1 defeats.

The Cherries were given a lesson by Manchester City a fortnight ago and last weekend Harry Kane guided a comeback win for Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium.

Glenn Murray and Matt Ritchie managed to get on the scoresheet in those games, but that is little consolation for a side who have not won any of their last four league matches.

In the Capital One Cup, like Liverpool, Bournemouth were forced into a penalty shootout, which they won 3-2 against Preston North End in September.

Prior to that game, the Cherries saw off Hartlepool United with a 4-0 romp.

Recent form: WW
Recent form (all competitions): WWLDLL

Team News

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With a Premier League battle against Chelsea pencilled in for this Saturday, Klopp has confirmed that he will make a few alterations to his Liverpool team for the visit of Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Sturridge remains out of contention as he continues to struggle with injuries, and while Benteke is still building up fitness ahead of the Chelsea game, Divock Origi could start.

Vice-captain James Milner is suspended for Wednesday's game after picking up five yellow cards, meaning that a space has opened up in midfield.

Joe Allen, Roberto Firmino and Jordon Ibe are all contenders for a starting spot against the Cherries, while Emre Can and Philippe Coutinho are likely to be rested.

Due to Bournemouth's lengthy injury list, Howe does not have the luxury of rotating his squad significantly, particularly with the calibre of opposition that they will face on Wednesday.

Artur Boruc made a few fluffs against Tottenham, but he is expected to start in goal behind a possible back four of Simon Francis, Steve Cook, Sylvain Distin and Charlie Daniels.

Glenn Murray could lead the line, with Joshua King just behind him and Ritchie provided attacking threat from midfield.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Allen; Ibe, Firmino, Lallana; Origi

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Boruc; Francis, Cook, Distin, Daniels; Surman, Gosling, Pugh, Ritchie; King; Murray

Head To Head

Liverpool and Bournemouth do not have a long head-to-head history, but they have met one another in cup competitions twice in just over a year.

As expected, the Merseyside outfit have come out on top on both occasions, with last season's League Cup tie ending in a 3-1 triumph for the Reds on the South Coast, with two goals from Raheem Sterling and one from Lazar Markovic, neither of whom are currently at the club.

In the season before that, Victor Moses and Daniel Sturridge helped Liverpool to a 2-0 victory over the Cherries, so it is clear that the Reds are firm favourites for a win on Wednesday.

All three of their meetings have ended positively for Liverpool, but it could have been a different story in August had Benteke's header been correctly ruled offside at Anfield.

We say: Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth

The Cherries may be struggling in the lower half of the table, but they have managed to score in their last four games, and considering that Liverpool's defensive unit is yet to be perfected by Klopp, the Reds may end up conceding once again. However, by the final whistle the Merseyside outfit should have booked their place in the next phase of the tournament given that their team have enough quality to finish off Wednesday's opposition. It could end up being a tight game, but Klopp is likely to earn his first win as Liverpool manager this week.

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