EPL Preview: Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

The Premier League curtain rises on Friday night with champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at Anfield, as both sides look to kick-start the 2025-26 campaign in style.

Arne Slot’s first season in charge ended in glory with the Reds claiming their 20th league title, drawing level with rivals Manchester United. But there’s work to do after last weekend’s Community Shield disappointment, where Crystal Palace edged them on penalties. Bournemouth, meanwhile, arrive on Merseyside without a win in four pre-season outings and with a reshuffled defence.

Match Preview

Last season’s title race fell apart for Manchester City and Arsenal thanks to injuries and loss of form, opening the door for Liverpool to power to the summit behind a resurgent Mohamed Salah. Their summer transfer activity has been aggressive, reflecting a refusal to loosen their grip on the trophy.

However, the Community Shield defeat exposed familiar defensive issues, Liverpool have conceded 10 goals in their last five games, competitive and friendly combined. They also ended last season winless in their final four league matches, although the title had already been wrapped up.

Anfield remains a fortress: Liverpool are unbeaten in 17 league games at home since a shock loss to Nottingham Forest in September 2024. They haven’t lost on the opening day since 2012-13, and their 12-match unbeaten run in season openers is the longest in Premier League history.

Bournemouth also boast an impressive opening-day record, unbeaten in their last seven such fixtures since a 2017 defeat to West Brom. But they arrive weakened. Last season’s record-breaking campaign, 56 points and a club-best 46 goals conceded, was built on a solid backline, much of which has now departed. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez (now at Liverpool) are all gone. Pre-season form has been patchy, with defeats to Manchester United and West Ham in the USA followed by two draws against Real Sociedad.

History isn’t on the Cherries’ side either. They’ve never won at Anfield, taking just one point from a possible 24 in the Premier League and losing the last six visits by an aggregate score of 23-2.

Team News

Liverpool
Ryan Gravenberch remains suspended following his red card on the final day of last season and will miss out again after skipping the Community Shield for the birth of his child. Joe Gomez (Achilles) is sidelined, while Conor Bradley faces a race to be fit. Alexis Mac Allister is expected to return to the base of midfield after Curtis Jones set a Community Shield passing record with 53/53 completions.

Bournemouth
Enes Unal and Lewis Cook are recovering from knee injuries; Cook may return to training this week but is doubtful. Luis Sinisterra (thigh) should be available, but Justin Kluivert’s calf problem keeps him out. Antoine Semenyo is fit and fresh from signing a new contract. Summer arrival Djordje Petrovic is set for his Premier League debut in goal.

Liverpool’s possible XI:
Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Bournemouth’s possible XI:
Petrovic; Araujo, Senesi, Hill, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Ouattara; Evanilson

Prediction

Both sides are short of defensive options, which could mean goals. Bournemouth will aim to frustrate Liverpool, perhaps looking to Palace’s Wembley blueprint, but Slot’s attack should have enough to start the title defence with three points.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth