Dominic Solanke can’t stop scoring goals for a reborn Bournemouth. The English striker now has 12 goals this season, and his excellent goalscoring form could see him bag a goal versus Liverpool this weekend.
Solanke will face off against his former team. The striker scored just one time for Liverpool in 27 appearances. It was a difficult existence for Solanke at Anfield. He struggled to break into the first team on a regular basis.
Is this performance from Dominic Solanke the best of the #FestiveFixtures period so far? pic.twitter.com/OWkFhUxSNb— Premier League (@premierleague) December 29, 2023
Is this performance from Dominic Solanke the best of the #FestiveFixtures period so far? pic.twitter.com/OWkFhUxSNb
But even when he got into the team, Solanke wasn’t able to score goals consistently.
His move to Bournemouth may have seen him play for a team that jockeyed between the Premier League and Championship in recent seasons, but it allowed Solanke to grow as a player.
Solanke earned Liverpool £19 million when he left the club for the south coast. Since joining the Cherries, the striker has scored 69 goals and tallied 28 assists in 169 appearances in all competitions.
This season, Solanke’s 12 goals have come in 19 appearances. New manager Andoni Iraola’s high-intensity tactics have created a new life for Solanke.
He scored five goals in his last four Premier League appearances, making him dangerous for Sunday’s match with Liverpool.
Solanke was one of the bright spots against Liverpool earlier this season, tallying an assist in a 3-1 loss at Anfield. Bournemouth are a serious threat this weekend and a win could put a massive dent in Liverpool’s title hopes.
The striker should have plenty of chances to score against Liverpool. Solanke averages the second most shots per game in the league, with 3.5. Only Erling Haaland averages more shots per game, with 3.9.
In addition, Solanke is an equal opportunity goalscorer. He scored six of his 12 goals at home and six on the road.
At the end of December, it was revealed that Liverpool have a buy-back option on Solanke. As it stands, there is no space for the striker to return to the club.
However, if Mohamed Salah were to leave in the offseason for Saudi Arabia, as continues to be rumoured, then perhaps Liverpool would bring back Solanke.
The @premierleague player of the month🤩. Thank you to the team, staff and you fans that have helped towards me getting this award! Appreciate all the support!🙏🏾❤️. pic.twitter.com/Nh0S4PZDvp— Dom Solanke (@DomSolanke) January 12, 2024
The @premierleague player of the month🤩. Thank you to the team, staff and you fans that have helped towards me getting this award! Appreciate all the support!🙏🏾❤️. pic.twitter.com/Nh0S4PZDvp
Although Solanke tallied an assist against Liverpool earlier this season, the striker has never scored against his former team. Indeed, in seven appearances versus Liverpool, Solanke was on the losing side six times.
Will this weekend’s match be any different? If Bournemouth are to picking up a win at home against Liverpool, which they did last season, then Solanke will need to be on form.