Arne Slot knew were going to be a side battling it out in the top half of the table when they refused to surrender at Anfield.

The Cherries have been one of the real surprise packages of the season but those inside will have known this campaign was coming. That’s because their sporting director, , was the architect of what Andoni Iraola is building on the south coast.

Hughes l to take up the opportunity at Liverpool but it was his work there which meant he got the gig at Anfield.

Reds boss Slot may be cursing his current colleague if some of his previous signings at Bournemouth put a dent in the Merseysiders’ title hopes on Saturday.

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The Cherries have lost just five league games so far this season to sit a point off the spots after 23 games.

Their only defeat by more than one goal came at Anfield back in September when the Reds beat them 3-0 but it didn’t turn into a trouncing despite the hosts firing in three goals in the first half.

“The second half we played against them showed me they are a serious team,” said Slot. “If you are 3-0 down and can keep competing and working that hard in the second half that tells you a lot about the mentality of the team.

“Combined with the quality they have – Richard left that club in a very, very good place, not only with the quality of the players they have but because he hired a very good manager – that’s why it’s no surprise to me that they are able to compete with every single team in the league.”

Liverpool are unbeaten in 18 league games heading to the venue where and have already lost at this season.

While only , and have left there with anything so far in this campaign. Slot has been speaking to Hughes in how to prepare but admits the sporting director’s insight hasn’t really brought many secrets as the Reds look to maintain their six-point lead at the top of the table.

“They have beaten so many strong teams,” said Slot. “There is a simple reason for that: they have a lot, a lot of quality - created by Richard of course.

“He hired a fantastic manager. Why is he fantastic? Well, he has a great game plan and his players work incredibly hard. And in a different way to Arsenal they are a threat on set-pieces.

“They always come up with worked ones that are very useful for them. In every department, they are a very, very strong team. They deserve to be where they are and maybe even a bit higher than that.”

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