2025/26 EPL season opener: Liverpool vs Bournemouth match preview, prediction

Sports Top Stories
Okezie Omorogie
August 14, 2025
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Liverpool vs Bournemouth in 2025/26 EPL season opener. Photo Credit- Opta Analyst

The 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off with a blockbuster clash at Anfield, where reigning champions Liverpool host Bournemouth on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. BST, live on Sky Sports. As Liverpool aim to defend their title under Arne Slot, Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, look to upset the odds in a historic fixture. This preview is set to explore both teams’ recent performances, tactical approaches, updated team news and injuries, head-to-head statistics, and offers a scoreline prediction for this highly anticipated curtain-raiser.

Liverpool team form

Liverpool enter the 2025/26 season as defending champions, having clinched their second Premier League title in seven years in 2024/25 under Arne Slot’s debut campaign. The Reds finished the season with 92 points, edging out Arsenal and Manchester City, with a league-best 89 goals scored and 34 conceded. Their pre-season was mixed, with a 3-1 win over Real Betis and a 2-0 victory against RB Leipzig overshadowed by a 4-2 loss to AC Milan, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities without key players. Despite the tragic loss of forward Diogo Jota, Liverpool’s squad has been bolstered by blockbuster signings, including Florian Wirtz (€116m from Bayer Leverkusen), Jeremie Frimpong (€50m from Leverkusen), Hugo Ekitike (€75m from Eintracht Frankfurt), and ex-Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez (€40m).

Liverpool tactical breakdown

Slot’s high-pressing, possession-based system relies on fluid attacking transitions. Florian Wirtz, a creative playmaker, will operate as the No. 10, feeding Mohamed Salah and Ekitike, whose pace and finishing add a new dimension. Frimpong’s wide runs from right-back and Kerkez’s overlaps on the left will stretch Bournemouth’s defense. Midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister provide control, while Virgil van Dijk anchors a backline that kept 14 clean sheets last season. However, Liverpool’s high line could be exploited by Bournemouth’s counter-attacks, as seen in their pre-season loss to AC Milan.

Liverpool team news and injuries

Liverpool are grappling with the emotional and tactical loss of Diogo Jota, whose absence leaves a gap in their attack. However, no new injuries other than Joe Gomez and Ryan Gravenberch are reported for the opener. Alisson Becker is expected to start in goal, despite competition from Giorgi Mamardashvili, with critics noting both keepers’ importance. New signings Wirtz, Frimpong, Ekitike, and Kerkez are all available, with Wirtz set to make his Premier League debut. Curtis Jones is a doubt with a minor hamstring issue from pre-season, potentially paving the way for Wataru Endo to start.

Liverpool Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Bournemouth’s form

Bournemouth finished a respectable ninth in the 2024/25 Premier League with 52 points, a campaign marked by flashes of brilliance but inconsistency, particularly away from home. Their pre-season showed promise, with a 2-1 win over Sevilla but a 4-1 loss to Manchester United exposing defensive frailties. The departure of Milos Kerkez to Liverpool was a blow, but Bournemouth responded by signing Adrien Truffert (€20m from Rennes) and goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic (€15m from Chelsea) to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined Arsenal. Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert remain their talismans, though they struggled for consistency. Fans and critics, express cautious optimism, citing Iraola’s attacking philosophy but noting the challenge of facing Liverpool’s firepower.

Bournemouth tactics

Iraola’s approach emphasizes quick transitions and wing play, with Kluivert as the focal point. Truffert’s attacking instincts replace Kerkez’s dynamism, while Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook provide midfield energy. Bournemouth’s 1.4 goals per game last season reflect their attacking intent, but their defense, conceding 55 goals, is vulnerable to Liverpool’s relentless pressing. Iraola may opt for a compact mid-block to frustrate Liverpool, relying on Semenyo and Kluivert to exploit counter-attacking opportunities. Their pre-season showed they can score against top sides but struggle to maintain defensive solidity.

Bournemouth team news and injuries

Bournemouth have a relatively clean bill of health, with no major injuries reported. Adrien Truffert and Djordje Petrovic are expected to debut, bolstering the defense. Semenyo, who scored eight goals last season, is available. However, midfielder Philip Billing is questionable with an ankle issue, which could see Tyler Adams step in. The departure of Kerkez weakens their left flank, and Truffert’s adaptation to the Premier League’s pace remains a concern, as noted by critics.

Bournemouth Expected Lineup (4-3-3): Petrovic; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Truffert; Cook, Christie, Billing, Adams; Kluivert, Semenyo

Liverpool vs Bournemouth head-to-head statistics

Liverpool hold a dominant record against Bournemouth in the Premier League, with accurate and updated statistics reflecting their encounters up to the 2025-26 season opener. According to data from AiScore, FootyStats, and the Premier League’s official website, the teams have faced off 18 times in the Premier League since Bournemouth’s promotion in 2015. At Anfield, Liverpool are unbeaten against Bournemouth, with a 3-0 victory in 2018 and a 2-1 comeback win in 2020 among the highlights. In their most recent clash in January 2025, Liverpool won 4-0, with Salah scoring twice. Bournemouth’s sole win came in 2016 (4-3), and their draw was a 2-2 thriller in 2017. Liverpool have scored 43 goals in these 18 matches, conceding 12, per Transfermarkt.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth scoreline prediction

Liverpool’s superior squad depth, home advantage, and historical dominance make them overwhelming favorites. Gambling News predicts a high-scoring win, citing Liverpool’s motivation to honor Jota and their strengthened attack with Wirtz and Ekitike. Bournemouth’s counter-attacking threat, led by Solanke, could trouble Liverpool’s high line, but their defensive frailties (55 goals conceded last season) are likely to be exposed by the Reds’ relentless pressing. Expect Liverpool to control possession and create multiple chances, with Salah and Ekitike likely to capitalize.

Predicted Scoreline: Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth. Liverpool’s attacking firepower, bolstered by new signings and Slot’s tactical nous, should overwhelm Bournemouth, who may struggle to contain Anfield’s intensity. A clean sheet is likely, given Alisson’s form and Bournemouth’s poor scoring record at Anfield. However, if Bournemouth exploit early nerves, a closer 3-1 scoreline is possible, with Solanke as their main threat.