Liverpool vs Bournemouth Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Defending champions Liverpool kick off the Premier League campaign with a clash against an always entertaining AFC Bournemouth side at Anfield on Friday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Universo
Liverpool preview: New look Liverpool after emotional summer
Having won the title in his first season in charge of Liverpool last season, Arne Slot has now been given an incredible amount of money to spend to ensure that their squad remains extremely strong to fight on all fronts in the 2025/26 campaign. They have brought in Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
However, the summer at Liverpool has been dominated by the tragic passing of Portugal international attacker Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain in early July.
Bournemouth preview: Defensive departures
Having faded away towards the end of last season after chasing a top seven or eight finish and potential European qualification, AFC Bournemouth will be expected to go again this time around, having kept hold of manager Andoni Iraola.
The Cherries have been able to bring in both Djordje Petrovic and Adrien Truffert, but they have lost several key men in the defensive third with Kepa Arrizabalaga’s loan ended, whilst Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez have left for Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Liverpool team news: Gravenberch suspended
Arne Slot, in his pre-match press conference, has confirmed that Alexis Mac Allister has returned to full fitness for this weekend.
That is even better news than it would have usually been with Ryan Gravenberch missing through suspension. Joe Gomez could make the bench.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Unavailable: Gravenberch (Suspended)
Questionable: Bradley (Injured), Gomez (Fitness)
Bournemouth team news: A few key injuries
Key midfielder Lewis Cook is injured for the opening day, but the former Leeds United man would have missed the trip to Anfield anyway, through suspension.
It has been confirmed that Justin Kluivert is back, with new signing Bafode Diakite fit. Dango Ouattata is unlikely to be involved ahead of a move to Brentford.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Araujo, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Adams; Brooks, Kluivert, Semenyo; Evanilson
Unavailable: Cook (Suspended), Unal (Injured)
Questionable: Christie (Fitness), Sinisterra (Personal reasons), Ouattara (Personal reasons)
Liverpool vs Bournemouth prediction
There appears to be a wide expectation that Liverpool are going to be even stronger this season, but the Reds may well find things a bit difficult initially as they integrate so many new signings into their first eleven and squad. They were beaten on penalties by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield last week at Wembley. Bournemouth have a few key injury issues for the visit to Anfield, but Iraola will still get them to play in an enterprising and energetic way, so it may be a thriller on the opening day.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth tip: Liverpool to win & both teams to score
