Bournemouth to make late decision on €30m star as eight could miss Liverpool clash

Jefferson Lerma is doubtful to feature for Bournemouth when they welcome Liverpool to the Vitality Stadium (12.30 GMT).

The Reds can move into the Premier League top four should they deliver a fifth victory in six top-flight fixtures.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, are scrapping to avoid relegation. They’re rooted to the bottom and are a point adrift of safety.

And the Cherries’ task could be made more difficult in the absence of eight player against Liverpool.

Marcus Tavernier is ruled out alongside Hamed Traore. Meanwhile, David Brooks, Junior Stanislas, Lloyd Kelly, Illia Zabarnyi and Matias Vina were all missing from last weekend’s last-gasp 3-2 loss against leaders Arsenal.

And midfielder Lerma, a €30 million signing from Levante in 2018, could also be absent.

Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil said: “Tav [Marcus Tavernier] will still be out. Junior Traore will still be out. Jeff is touch and go.

“Jeff’s not done as much as you would like, but he’s still further along than the others. We’ll make a call on Jeff tomorrow.”