Iraola returns to Bournemouth as scoreless first half unfolds

Iraola back at his old club

Bournemouth host Liverpool at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, September 20, in a Premier League fixture that marks Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola's first return to the ground since ending his three-year spell in charge of the Cherries. Michael Oliver is the referee, with Craig Pawson on VAR duty.

According to a live report from The Guardian, the match was goalless at half-time. The Guardian's account described a scrappy, low-quality first half, in which Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson made a strong save to deny Evanilson, while Bournemouth struggled to build any attacking cohesion.

Both sides still chasing their first win

Bournemouth, now managed by Marco Rose, remain without a Premier League victory this season after an opening-day defeat was followed by three draws. However, the club claimed a landmark result on Thursday, winning 2-1 away at Real Sociedad for their first-ever victory in European competition.

Liverpool have also collected three Premier League draws this season but ended a stretch of stalemates with a win at Ipswich Town two weeks ago. On Tuesday, the Reds beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in the Carabao Cup third round, with goals from Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai lifting morale before the trip south.

Team news and injuries

Liverpool remain without Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni, all sidelined long-term. Sports Illustrated's predicted line-up had Alisson in goal behind a back four of Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk and Kerkez, with Szoboszlai and Mac Allister in midfield and Barcola, Wirtz and Gakpo supporting Isak in attack.

Bournemouth are missing defenders Julián Araujo and Veljko Milosavljević, along with Eli Junior Kroupi, who is not expected back from a foot injury until November, and Amine Adli, ruled out until after the international break. Adli had scored the winner in this exact fixture last season.

Liverpool have lost two of their last five away trips to the Vitality Stadium, including a last-gasp 3-2 defeat there last term, though they have scored 21 goals across their previous eight visits. Ahead of kickoff, Sports Illustrated predicted a 2-2 draw, pointing to defensive frailties on both sides.