Liverpool Set to Clash with Bournemouth: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
The 2025–26 Premier League campaign kicks off Friday night with title holders Liverpool welcoming Bournemouth to Anfield for the opening fixture of the new season.
The Merseyside club starts their championship defense at home and will look to secure a positive result in a matchup they have controlled in recent encounters. Arne Slot claimed victory in both meetings against the Cherries during the previous campaign, with Liverpool securing 12 wins from their last 13 clashes against the coastal team—including their memorable 9–0 triumph at the start of the 2022–23 term.
Liverpool will seek to bounce back following a disappointing showing against Crystal Palace in the previous weekend's Community Shield. The Reds surrendered their advantage twice before ultimately falling in a penalty shootout during the traditional season opener, with Slot observing a surprisingly fragmented defensive performance from the sidelines.
Bournemouth will hope to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities in Liverpool's backline on Friday evening but face their own concerns in defense. Andoni Iraola has watched his defensive unit dismantled during the transfer window as Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez all moved elsewhere—with the latter joining Liverpool earlier this summer.
Bournemouth have yet to claim victory at Anfield and have managed just one draw in their previous visits, highlighting the magnitude of their challenge ahead. They must deliver a flawless performance to spring a surprise and prevent Liverpool from starting their Premier League campaign with three points.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the season's opening encounter.
What Time Does Liverpool vs. Bournemouth Kick Off?
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Liverpool | Bournemouth |
|---|---|
Crystal Palace 2–2 (3–2p) Liverpool - 10/08/25 | Bournemouth 0–0 Real Sociedad - 09/08/25 |
Liverpool 3–2 Athletic Club - 04/08/25 | Bournemouth 1–1 Real Sociedad - 09/08/25 |
Liverpool 4–1 Athletic Club - 04/08/25 | Bournemouth 0–2 West Ham - 03/08/25 |
Yokohama F. Marinos 1–3 Liverpool - 30/07/25 | Man Utd 4–1 Bournemouth - 31/07/25 |
Liverpool 2–4 Milan - 26/07/25 | Bournemouth 3–0 Everton - 26/07/25 |
How to Watch Liverpool vs. Bournemouth on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United States | fuboTV, nbcsports.com, NBC Sports App, UNIVERSO NOW, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, USA Network, UNIVERSO |
United Kingdom | Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO, Sky GO Extra, NOW TV |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network Canada |
Mexico | Caliente TV |
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool will introduce several of their promising summer acquisitions to competitive action, featuring Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Nevertheless, Giorgi Mamardashvili must wait for his maiden competitive outing as Alisson maintains his position as the club's first-choice goalkeeper.
Slot will be missing Ryan Gravenberch through suspension following his red card on the final matchday of the previous season, though Alexis Mac Allister should return to the starting formation after being omitted from the Community Shield lineup. Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai—most likely the Hungarian—will join the Argentine in Gravenberch's place.
Joe Gomez has lately resumed training after a preseason setback and might feature in Friday's squad, while Conor Bradley's availability remains uncertain due to a muscular problem.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Bournemouth
Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitiké.
Bournemouth Team News
Iraola will be missing Lewis Cook for the season's opening due to a suspension carried forward from the previous campaign's conclusion, while Enes Ünal remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury. He has been absent since early January.
Justin Kluivert is dealing with a calf problem and will probably miss the journey to Liverpool. His absence would be significant for the Cherries considering his contribution of 12 goals and six assists during the last season.
Ryan Christie and Luis Sinisterra were initially doubtful for the Anfield visit but have recently rejoined training and should be available for selection.
Club debuts await Djordje Petrović and Adrien Truffert, while new center-back signing Bafodé Diakité could also make his first start.
Bournemouth Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool
Bournemouth predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Petrović; Araujo, Diakité, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Ouattara; Evanilson.
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth Score Prediction
Liverpool dominated the Premier League championship last season but will encounter stronger competition for the crown this campaign. Arsenal will maintain their pursuit of the top position, while Manchester City and Chelsea are expected to build upon their previous season's showings. Dropping points in their opening match is not acceptable.
The Reds should navigate this potential upset on Friday thanks to their formidable attacking options, with Wirtz and Ekitiké already showing promising early form. Mohamed Salah will also anticipate finding the net at his home ground.
Bournemouth are expected to trouble Liverpool through quick transitions, as Milan and Palace demonstrated defensive weaknesses during preseason matches. However, they face their own defensive instability and will find it challenging to contain the Reds throughout the full 90 minutes.
Prediction: Liverpool 3–1 Bournemouth