LIVERPOOL VS BOURNEMOUTH: Premier League opener:, latest score and goal updates…

Liverpool vs. AFC Bournemouth Premier League opener:

LIVERPOOL VS BOURNEMOUTH

Liverpool begins their quest to reclaim the Premier League title against Bournemouth at Anfield this Friday.

Since their victory last season, the Reds have invested nearly £300 million to enhance their squad, acquiring Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Milos Kerkez.

Nevertheless, Arne Slot’s team faced a setback, losing on penalties to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield last week after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

Liverpool continues to be active in the transfer market. They have reached an agreement to sign 18-year-old Italian defender Giovanni Leoni, are reportedly still pursuing Marc Guéhi, and are in the running for the notable signing of Alexander Isak.

Bournemouth, who concluded last season on a high note, have retained just one of their starting four defenders.

Liverpool XI vs Bournemouth: Expected lineup, confirmed team updates, and injury news for today’s Premier League match.

Liverpool may implement a significant change to the squad that lost the Community Shield on penalties as they prepare to host Bournemouth for the 2025-26 Premier League season opener this evening.

The defending champions are set to welcome the Cherries to Anfield, aiming to recover from their defeat against Crystal Palace in last weekend’s traditional season opener.

In the midfield, Arne Slot might adjust the starting XI that played at Wembley, with Ballon d’Or nominee Alexis Mac Allister appearing ready to start after a 20-minute appearance in the Community Shield.

Ahead of the match, Slot indicated that he could rotate his midfield due to Ryan Gravenberch’s suspension: “The midfield could be our strongest area considering the players we have.

Unfortunately, [Mac Allister] had a different pre-season, but he is back now. I still need to make a decision regarding midfield.”

Mac Allister may be introduced to partner Dominik Szoboszlai, potentially at the cost of Curtis Jones.

The Liverpool head coach also mentioned that Joe Gomez might return to the squad after a minor injury: “Joe, I need to decide on that.

He missed a significant portion of pre-season, trained twice, but in the Palace game, we had two teenagers, so there’s a chance he could be on the bench.”

Additionally, summer signings Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez are all anticipated to make their Premier League debuts for Liverpool, with Kerkez set to face his former club.

Kerkez and Frimpong are the most likely full-back pairing, especially with Conor Bradley still recovering from injury.

Ekitike is expected to be joined in the attack by Mohamed Salah – who is aiming for a league-record extending 10th opening day goal and 14th direct goal involvement – and Cody Gakpo in an unchanged front three, with Wirtz orchestrating play behind them at the forefront of a midfield trio.

Liverpool’s anticipated starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Uncertainties: Gomez

Injury concerns: Bradley

Suspension: Gravenberch

Kick-off: 8pm BST on Friday, August 15, 2025

Location: Anfield

Viewing options: Sky Sports