Bournemouth put six goals past Hull City in thrashing

Steve Cook atoned for a defensive howler by heading Bournemouth's second goal in an eventful 200th club appearance as the Cherries hammered Hull City 6-1.

Junior Stanislas fired a brace to add to goals from Cook, Charlie Daniels, Callum Wilson and Dan Gosling, as Eddie Howe's men romped to their record Premier League victory.

Centre-back Cook gifted Hull possession then clumsily diverted Ryan Mason's speculative effort past the wrong-footed Artur Boruc - before burying a header at the other end just seven minutes later.

Mason's fortunate goal had Hull level at 1-1 and Cook pounding the turf in disbelief. When the Cherries stalwart nodded home Stanislas' free-kick, he relished his quick-fire redemption with a conciliatory wave to the home support.

A dismal showing from Hull leaves Mike Phelan's side without a Premier League win in their last six matches. That this was Phelan's first game as full-time manager after a lengthy caretaker stint made it all the worse.

Bournemouth fired six Premier League goals for the first time amid another assured showing dictated by midfield marshal Harry Arter.

The 26-year-old picked the right day to conduct the tempo, with Ireland boss Martin O'Neill no doubt an impressed spectator.

Cherries manager Howe's possession-based blueprint owes everything to link men Arter and Andrew Surman, the two deep-lying midfielders a constant outlet for their team-mates.

Bournemouth immediately hit their attacking straps, the relentless Arter kick-starting every fluid move.

Stanislas curled a free-kick off a post and Daniels buried the follow-up to hand the hosts the ideal start.

Hull spent the next 25 minutes chasing shadows as Eddie Howe's possession play took hold, Jordon Ibe growing in confidence if not end-product.

Half-chances unconverted could have cost the Cherries however, with Wilson striking the bar after diverting Ibe's low cut-back.

Stanislas saw a low drive deflected wide and Ibe blasted over from 25 yards after being left in acres of space once too often.

Just when Bournemouth looked to grapple total control, though, one mistake proved costly. Cook conceded possession far too cheaply with a stray pass, and Hull pounced.

Another Cook blunder gifted the visitors the goal too, the defender lazily redirecting Mason's long-range shot past the blameless Boruc.

The distraught Cook punched the turf then buried his face in his shirt - but somehow found a rapid redemption.

Just seven minutes later the 25-year-old headed home Stanislas' whipped free-kick, relishing the goal and also raising both hands in apology to the home faithful.

Bournemouth's dominance was then fully realised when Robert Snodgrass crudely upended Callum Wilson in the Hull box.

Stanislas stalked the ball from his team-mates once the cast-iron penalty was awarded, and duly converted the spot-kick, firing straight down the middle.

After the break Hull were perhaps unfortunate not to win a penalty when Mason went down under Surman's challenge. But after that the visitors were unable to generate any tangible threat.

Stanislas massaged the scoreline with his second and Bournemouth's fourth goal, tapping in at the far post after an accurate low cross from Adam Smith.

Wilson headed in the fifth, before Gosling curled home the sixth, heaping the indignity on hapless Hull.

More games: friv

Bournemouth sign Liverpool Jordon Ibe on four-year deal

Jordon Ibe had been tipped to fill the void left by Raheem Sterling departure to Manchester City last year.

Bournemouth have signed Liverpool England under-21 international Jordon Ibe on a four-year contract with the south-coast club describing the winger as a “huge prospect”.

The 20-year-old made 58 first-team appearances for Liverpool after joining the club’s academy from Wycombe Wanderers in 2011.

Neither club disclosed the transfer fee, but media reports said Bournemouth would pay a club-record 15 million pounds ($20.01 million) for the forward, who struggled to cement a place in Liverpool’s starting lineup last season.

“He played plenty of football with Liverpool last season and we’re looking forward to seeing him continue to grow now with us, he’s a huge prospect,” Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said in a statement on the club website (www.afcb.co.uk).

Ibe had been tipped to fill the void left by Raheem Sterling departure to Manchester City last year.

His pace and direct running appealed to Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp when he took over in October and the winger enjoyed a run in the side before later finding himself on the fringes of the first-team squad.

Ibe scored just four goals in his time at Liverpool, although he ended the season with a fine individual effort against West Bromwich Albion.

Liverpool accept £15m bid from Bournemouth for winger Jordon Ibe

Liverpool have accepted a £15m bid from Bournemouth for Jordon Ibe and given the winger permission to talk to the south-coast club.

Ibe, 20, has been at Anfield since signing from Wycombe in 2011 but lost his way to a degree last season, failing to win a place in many of Jürgen Klopp’s starting lineups.

Originally viewed as a natural replacement for Raheem Sterling after making his debut in the final game of the 2012-13 season, Ibe enjoyed more success under Brendan Rodgers, after being called back from loan at Derby County and pitched into Premier League football.

Despite a promising start at Liverpool, for whom he has made 58 appearances, Ibe became a more peripheral figure after the managerial change.

Why there’s more for Liverpool to consider if sanctioning Jordon Ibe sale

Jordon Ibe continues to be linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, but there are more factors to consider than simply whether Jurgen Klopp needs him next season before sanctioning his sale.

Doubts have risen over Ibe’s long-term future on Merseyside following widespread reports that the Reds are expecting to receive offers for the 20-year-old this window.

Though the Liverpool Echo confirmed the club are not actively looking to sell the winger, speculation has been fuelled further by recent reported interest in the England U20 international from Southampton and Watford.

A disappointing season for Ibe, in which he scored four goals in 41 appearances, coupled with fewer games and opportunities being available next season for fringe players like the youngster, has led to the conclusion he won’t be needed at Anfield.

It has been said in some sections that it therefore makes sense to cash-in while there is genuine and willing interest.

But though Ibe may not be a key ingredient to Jurgen Klopp’s plans currently, this is a move that would need serious thought and consideration from the Reds boss and those in power for more than just footballing reasons.

A player of such vast potential and experience despite his tender years, it’s hard to assess what a true valuation of Ibe is currently due to his indifferent campaign.

But those factors alone mean it should take a healthy sum to convince the decision makers to allow him to leave – especially with a 15% sell-on fee we understand is agreed with his former club Wycombe Wanderers as part of the deal to bring him to the club in 2011.

Liverpool are unlikely to receive such a transfer fee that makes the 15% to be handed over to the League Two side pale into insignificance – the way the sizeable but dwarfed £8 million that was handed to QPR as part of Raheem Sterling’s £49 million move to Man City was last year.

Any fee for Ibe is certainly going to be a lot closer to the £10 million mark in comparison to the extortionate figures involving his predecessor.

With the current, crazy financial climate of English football, is that really enough for a player who could yet play a huge part at Anfield? Especially as the Reds would actually recoup somewhere around £8.5 million, give or take as appropriate depending on any fee earned.

Considering the potential Ibe has and Klopp’s ability to develop players as he has proven throughout his career, it’s seems a short-sighted move to asses such an amount or similar sum is worth taking.

With what could happen if Ibe can get it right, as he showed in flashes of doing upon Klopp’s arrival with match-winning displays against Rubin Kazan and in the League Cup semi-final against Stoke, he could go on to be a lot more valuable than the likely sum raised.

And though he lost his way slightly and couldn’t quite sustain the promising upturn, he gave a timely reminder of why that could be the case, showing the raw ability that Liverpool would let go should they allow him to leave with his stunning first Premier League goal against West Brom.

Klopp will have to decide whether selling the ex-Wycombe man but instantly surrendering a slice of the funds for his rebuild outweighs the possibility of continuing to nurture Ibe’s raw talent.

Selling him for so little – in the grand scheme of things – could come back to haunt Liverpool, should his career take off as initially expected, making a loan move the maximum that should be considered.

With the fee that the club are likely to recoup this summer, it is certainly a more sensible option to continue working with Ibe a while yet before writing off his chances of succeeding at Anfield.

Jordon Ibe Looks Increasingly Likely to Leave Liverpool This Summer With Future Doubtful

Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe could leave Anfield this summer, with his future at the club still thought to be in doubt, and a handful of other Premier League sides rumoured to be interested in prising him away.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds are prepared for offers to come in with both Watford and Southampton said to be keen, and although Liverpool are not actively looking to get rid of Ibe, it could be in their best interest to move him on.

Watford have already signed one young Reds forward in Jerome Sinclair this summer after he chose to let his contract at Anfield run down and become a free agent.

For Ibe, the 2015-16 season was a frustrating one, after being tipped by many to step out of the shadows following Raheem Sterling's high profile exit to Manchester City, but ultimately he struggled to impose himself, despite Jurgen Klopp's praise.

The 20-year-old appeared in 41 games across all competitions over the course of the season, but he started fewer than half of those games, appearing 15 times as a substitute in the Premier League alone.

Ibe only scored four goals all season. He came into the league team more towards the end of the domestic campaign as Klopp looked to rotate and keep his regular starters fresh for European games instead.

Ibe travelled and trained with the rest of the squad in Basel last week, but did not even make the bench for the Europa League final against Sevilla.

Klopp hails 'brilliant' Sturridge after win

"(But) we have a football game and you want to talk about one player at the first moment. 

Meanwhile, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has dismissed suggestions there are "problems" in his relationship with Jordon Ibe. 

Daniel Sturridge played a key role in both goals (and twice hit the woodwork) as his quality in relation to nearly every other player on the pitch told. 

"He's a special player.'Studge' is the type of man who can be out the game for 60 or 70 minutes and all of a sudden will get himself two goals", he said. 

When the argument was made that Sturridge's goal had won Liverpool the game, Klopp retorted: "That's how you understand football?" He did well today with the pass for the first goal, and the cross for the second. 

The Sun claim four Premier League clubs have registered their interest in the Welshman, in addition to one La Liga outfit. 

Meanwhile Everton manager Roberto Martinez does not intend to rest Everton players for Wednesday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool - even though it comes just three days before an FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United. The Bournemouth keeper was caught out five minutes before half time, however, when Sturridge's back-heel forced Boruc into a fulllength save and Firmino was on hand to follow up and finish from close range. 

"Kolo's problem is a little bit more". That's why we changed it. I'm really pleased for the boys, for all of them, how they played. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp observes his team as they warm-up shortly before their English Premier League soccer match against Bournemouth, at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, England, Sunday April 17, 2016. 

"Sometimes rotation is for resting players for another tournament, but in our case we only rotate because the most important tournament is still and always will be the Premier League and we wanted to win this game". 

Fixtures are coming thick and fast for Liverpool and their involvement in the latter stages of the Europa League means they are playing two games a week with Sturridge alternating between a starting berth and a place on the bench. 

"I wouldn't say we deserved anything".

Jordon Ibe injury: Liverpool winger becomes club's seventh hamstring casualty as injury crisis worsens

The 20-year-old complained of discomfort after Tuesday night's Capital One Cup win over Stoke City.

Jordon Ibe has become the seventh Liverpool to be currently sidelined by a hamstring injury and will be unavailable for Friday’s FA Cup tie at Exeter City.

The 20-year-old winger complained of discomfort after Tuesday night’s Capital One Cup semi-final  against Stoke City, in which the former Wycombe Wanderers youth product scored the only goal.

Ibe subsequently missed training at Melwood on Thursday.

Liverpool are hopeful that it is only a minor issue and have not ruled him out of a return in next week’s Premier League meeting with Arsenal.

Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge, Martin Skrtel and Jordan Rossiter are all currently unavailable with hamstring problems.

Mamadou Sakho (knee), Jordan Henderson (heel), Danny Ings (knee) and Joe Gomez (knee) are also sidelined, while Kolo Toure limped through the final stages at the Britannia Stadium while suffering from cramp.

Full-back Jon Flanagan is taking part in training but must continue to build match fitness after 18 months out and two operations on his left knee.

Centre-back Tiago Ilori, who was on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool, is now back with his parent club after the two parties agreed to cancel the deal.

Three key selection decisions for Klopp & Van Gaal to ponder

With Liverpool set to face Manchester United in the Europa League last-16 first-leg tie at Anfield on Thursday, we look at three key selection posers for both managers to consider.

The two great rivals will be meeting one for the 195th – and United have had the edge over the years having claimed 79 wins, to Liverpool’s 64, while there have been 51 draws.

Here, we ponder three major selection posers for both managers to consider.

Liverpool

The make-up of the forward line

Having been rested at the weekend at Selhurst Park, Daniel Sturridge looks a certainty to be recalled to the central striking role. Klopp will no doubt have the Plan B option of Christian Benteke on the bench, but it’s the trio behind Sturridge which the Reds boss will have to ponder carefully.

Assuming fitness isn’t in question, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino – the latter of whom has been involved in more goals (either by assisting or scoring them) than any other Premier League player in 2016 – look certainties to start. But what of the third player? Adam Lallana has very much been a central figure in Klopp’s thinking since taking charge at Anfield, but despite three goals in his last five games for the Reds, questions remain over his ability to turn it on the big games.

James Milner played on the right of the three against Palace – but will the midfield stalwart be punished for carelessly picking up two yellow cards – or could Klopp throw a surprise into the works and ask the ever-improving Divock Origi to take one of the forward roles to keep United on their toes?

Jordon Ibe remains another option, and despite his recent impressive display against Man City at Anfield, the best he can hope for is likely to be a place on the bench.

Does Klopp trust Moreno?

With Jon Flanagan back to fitness, Klopp now has more options available to him in the full-back positions. In the recent 3-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield, the German opted to rest Alberto Moreno, with Clyne filling in at left-back and Flanagan at right-back.

Moreno, however, was brought back into the side that won at Palace over the weekend, but doubts remain over the Spaniard’s reliability in the games that matter and he had something of a stinker in the Capital One Cup final, with the former Sevilla star coming in for criticism from Jamie Carragher.

Although not his preferred position, Klopp does seem likely to call upon the naturally right-footed Clyne to operate as a left full-back, with Flanagan keeping his place at right-back. But if it’s balance he’s looking for, Moreno might be the better option.

Central midfield pairing

With Lucas currently nursing an unusual injury and facing a six-week lay-off, Klopp’s options in the middle of the park have been slightly limited. Emre Can and Jordan Henderson look to be the favoured options for Klopp, and it’s quite likely he’ll stick with those two in the engine room.

Certainly Can’s performances have improved of late, and with his growing authority in the centre of the park, he probably looks first choice for Klopp at the moment. Henderson is another who works hard, but the Reds captain still has has critics and is arguably yet to recapture his best form this season amid claims he struggles with a problematic heel injury.

Milner could present another option for Liverpool in the centre of the park and his industry would certainly be welcomed against United, where its likely he’ll be in direct competition with Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin.

Joe Allen is a fourth option available to Klopp, but the Welshman is rarely trusted in the games that matter .

Manchester United

Leave out Rashford? 

Teenage striker Marcus Rashford has started the last four games since being thrust into the spotlight a fortnight ago but Van Gaal’s tactics will decide whether or not that run of games comes to a halt.

Rashford, like all his team-mates, toiled at West Brom on Sunday, alternating with Anthony Martial between a central striker’s role and a wide berth. Van Gaal will have to shuffle his front four due to the suspension of Jesse Lingard and his line up will depend on his preference for pace or possession at Anfield.

Ander Herrera played in a central role during United’s 1-0 win at Liverpool in January and the Spaniard could be given the same job again. That would dislodge Juan Mata, who could be shifted to the right to cover for Lingard. What then does Van Gaal do with Anthony Martial?

The France forward could remain on the left with Rashford through the middle, or Memphis Depay may be brought back in, with Martial employed as the central striker. Just as Depay seemed to be gaining some confidence, he was dropped by Van Gaal at The Hawthorns. Whoever Van Gaal selects on the left will have a defensive job up against either Nathaniel Clyne or Jon Flanagan. Arguably, Martial has shown more discipline than Depay, which may mean Rashford making his fifth consecutive start.

Schneiderlin to return

The only plausible explanation for dropping Schneiderlin at West Brom is because Van Gaal was saving him for Anfield.

United have been beaten in only eight per cent of 26 matches the midfield battler has started, whereas the Red Devils have suffered defeat in eight of the eighteen games he has not been in the XI – almost 44 per cent.

At Anfield, Schneiderlin’s work-rate and defensive nous will be required to get among Liverpool’s creative talents, most notably Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino. Michael Carrick and his partner will rarely stray further than spitting distance from their centre-halves at Anfield, making Schneiderlin the only man for the job.

Blind faith?

The Dutch midfielder-turned-defender has had a fine season but a very ropey week. To call his performance against Watford an ‘off-night’ would be kind, while it was Blind who lost Salomon Rondon for the only goal at West Brom on Sunday.

Blind’s recent struggles are understandable when you consider that he has played more minutes than any other United player. His performances and Van Gaal’s injury concerns have meant few opportunities to give Blind a break and it is starting to show.

Marcos Rojo could step into the middle but moving the Argentina defender from the left would leave another hole. That may be the deciding factor when Van Gaal considers whether or not to give Blind the rest he seems to need.

What teams would you play? Let us know your thoughts in the story comments box, below.