The 2025-26 Premier League season kicks off with a blockbuster clash at Anfield, as reigning champions Liverpool take on Bournemouth in a Friday night showdown.
With Arne Slot’s Reds aiming to defend their title and Bournemouth looking to start strong under Andoni Iraola, this opening fixture promises excitement, tactical intrigue, and plenty of goalmouth action.
Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM BST
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Competition: Premier League
Liverpool: Ready to Defend Their Crown
Liverpool enter the new season as favourites to retain their Premier League title after a dominant 2024-25 campaign, finishing 10 points clear of Arsenal with 84 points and the league’s best home xG ratio (69%). Under Arne Slot, the Reds have undergone a transformation, blending their trademark attacking flair with a more structured possession-based approach. However, a penalty shootout loss to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield last weekend exposed defensive vulnerabilities, with Liverpool conceding in all six of their pre-season matches.
The summer transfer window brought significant changes. Liverpool splashed a British-record £116m on Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, while Hugo Ekitike (£79m from Eintracht Frankfurt) adds firepower up top. New full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez bolster the flanks, but the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota have added an emotional weight to the campaign. Despite these challenges, Liverpool’s home form remains formidable, with an unbeaten streak of 17 Premier League matches at Anfield and 14 wins from 19 home games last season.
Mohamed Salah, the Premier League’s Golden Boot winner last term, will be the focal point. With nine goals in opening weekend fixtures—the most in Premier League history—and a fearsome record against Bournemouth, the Egyptian is primed to shine. Florian Wirtz’s creativity and Ekitike’s finishing give Slot an embarrassment of riches in attack, but injuries to Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley, along with Ryan Gravenberch’s suspension, could test their defensive depth.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
My team to face Bournemouth. Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/68wt7Xghsk
— TheKop.com (@TheKop_com) August 12, 2025
Bournemouth: Aiming for an Upset
Bournemouth, coming off a historic ninth-place finish last season, face a daunting task at Anfield. Andoni Iraola’s high-pressing, direct style made the Cherries one of the league’s most entertaining away sides, with seven wins and the third-best away xPTS (31.33). However, their defensive unit has been reshuffled, with Milos Kerkez (now at Liverpool), Dean Huijsen, and potentially Illia Zabarnyi departing. New signings like Adrien Truffert and goalkeeper Djordje Petrović will need to adapt quickly to the Premier League’s intensity.
Bournemouth’s pre-season showed promise, with a 3-0 win over Everton, but losses to Manchester United and West Ham highlighted defensive frailties. Antoine Semenyo, with three goals in recent Premier League matches, and Evanilson (10 top-flight goals last season) will lead the attack, supported by the creative spark of Justin Kluivert and David Brooks. Tyler Adams’ return to the midfield adds tenacity, but Bournemouth’s inconsistent end to the 2024-25 season—winning just one of their final six away games—suggests they’ll need to be at their best to challenge Liverpool.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrović; Araujo, Mepham, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Soler; Semenyo, Brooks, Kluivert; Evanilson
Head-to-Head and Key Stats
- Historical Dominance: Liverpool have won their last five meetings with Bournemouth, scoring 14 goals and conceding just two. At Anfield, the Reds have a perfect Premier League record against the Cherries, winning all nine encounters with an aggregate score of 33-3.
- Salah’s Opening Day Prowess: Mohamed Salah has nine goals and five assists in Premier League opening fixtures, making him a constant threat.
- High-Scoring Affairs: Nine of Liverpool’s last ten matches across all competitions saw over 2.5 goals, while 14 of Bournemouth’s last 16 away games also hit that mark.
- Bournemouth’s Away Resilience: Despite their struggles against Liverpool, Bournemouth scored in 15 of 19 away games last season, averaging 1.56 xG per match.
Tactical Battle
This match pits Slot’s structured, possession-heavy approach against Iraola’s high-energy, counter-pressing system. Liverpool will likely dominate the ball, with Wirtz and Mac Allister pulling the strings in midfield, while Salah and Gakpo exploit the flanks. Bournemouth, however, will look to disrupt with their aggressive press, targeting Liverpool’s full-backs—particularly Frimpong, who was exposed in the Community Shield. Semenyo’s pace and Adams’ tactical fouls could frustrate Liverpool’s rhythm, but the Reds’ attacking depth and Anfield fortress make them heavy favourites.
Prediction
Liverpool’s home dominance, bolstered by their new signings, should prove too much for a Bournemouth side still integrating their squad. Expect the Reds to control possession and create plenty of chances, with Salah likely to add to his opening-day tally. Bournemouth’s attacking threat could see them nick a goal, but Liverpool’s firepower should secure a comfortable win.
Verdict: Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth
How to Watch
- TV: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League (UK)
- Live Stream: Available via Sky Go or NOW TV for subscribers. Check local listings for international broadcasts.
With Anfield set to roar under the Friday night lights, this curtain-raiser is a must-watch for Premier League fans. Will Liverpool lay down a marker, or can Bournemouth spring a surprise? Kick-off can’t come soon enough.
