Kick-off: Friday, 15 August 2025 at 21:00 CEST
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Competition: Premier League, Matchday 1

Form & context

Liverpool open their 2025/26 Premier League campaign under Arne Slot with a home fixture against newly promoted AFC Bournemouth. The Reds finished second last season and have strengthened with several marquee signings. Bournemouth survived relegation by the narrowest of margins and begin the new season with Andoni Iraola at the helm. The clubs have met 17 times in the top flight; Liverpool have won 13, drawn 2 and lost 2.

Team news

• Liverpool: No major injuries ahead of the opener. New signings Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez could all feature.
• Bournemouth: Centre-back Lloyd Kelly is a doubt with an ankle problem. Ryan Christie (hamstring) and Marcus Tavernier (knee) miss out.

Yellow cards & suspensions

No Liverpool players carry a yellow-card warning at this early stage, and there are no suspensions.

Predicted line-ups

Liverpool (4–3–3) — Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai; Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah.
Bournemouth (4–2–3–1) — Neto; Max Aarons, Chris Mepham, Ilya Zabarnyi, Milos Kerkez; Tyler Adams, Philip Billing; Dango Ouattara, Hamed Traorè, Jaidon Anthony; Antoine Semenyo.

Tactical preview

Liverpool will look to set the tempo and press high, using the technical midfield trio to overload the half-spaces. Bournemouth are expected to sit deep and counter through the pace of Ouattara and Semenyo. Set pieces could be key given Liverpool’s height advantage.

Key numbers

• Head-to-head: Liverpool have scored 45 goals in their 13 Premier League wins over Bournemouth, conceding just 10.
• xG probability: Modelled win probabilities favour Liverpool (80 %), with Bournemouth at 6 % and a draw at 14 %.
• Last season: Liverpool 4–0 Bournemouth at Anfield.

Prediction

Arne Slot’s side should have too much quality for the Cherries. Expect a confident home win to start the season.
Prediction: Liverpool 3–1 Bournemouth.