Last season, Manchester City’s hopes collapsed after Rodri’s ACL injury, Kevin De Bruyne’s diminishing influence, and Arsenal’s lack of creativity. That opened the door for Slot’s Liverpool, powered by a superb Mohamed Salah, to claim their 20th league title and move level with Manchester United at the top of English football’s honours list.
Liverpool’s heavy summer spending shows they are determined to hold onto their crown, though they have already missed out on one piece of silverware this season thanks to Dean Henderson’s penalty heroics.
Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong both scored memorable debut goals at Wembley, but defensive lapses proved costly once again, with Liverpool now having conceded 10 goals in their last five matches in all competitions.
The champions also ended last season with a four-game winless run in the league, but by then the title was already secure. At Anfield, however, they remain formidable, unbeaten in 17 Premier League matches since a shock defeat to Nottingham Forest last September.
Liverpool have not lost on the opening day since 2012–13, when they were beaten by West Bromwich Albion, and they have a 12-match unbeaten streak in season openers, the longest such run in Premier League history.
Bournemouth, for their part, have their own streak to defend. They have gone seven games unbeaten on the opening day since a loss to West Brom in 2017–18. Matching Liverpool’s record with an eighth would be a tall order, especially after a landmark 2024–25 season in which they collected a club-high 56 Premier League points and conceded only 46 goals, their best defensive record in the top flight.
That defence has been torn apart over the summer, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and new Liverpool signing Milos Kerkez all departing. Pre-season has not been kind either defeats to Manchester United and West Ham in the Premier League Summer Series were followed by two draws against Real Sociedad.
History is also against them. Bournemouth have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield, picking up only one point from the last 24 available there and losing their last six visits by a combined score of 23–2. Still, if Iraola’s side can channel some of the spirit that carried Crystal Palace to victory at Wembley, they might just have a chance of pulling off a shock on opening night.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Ryan Gravenberch missed the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace to be present for the birth of his child, but his first appearance of the season will have to wait another week. The Dutch midfielder is serving a suspension from his red card on the final day of last season against Palace.He is one of up to three likely absentees for Liverpool on Friday. Joe Gomez is almost certain to be out with another Achilles problem, while Conor Bradley is struggling with a muscle injury and remains a doubt.
In Gravenberch’s absence, Curtis Jones impressed in the Community Shield by completing all 53 of his passes the most ever recorded in the competition. Even so, a fully fit Alexis Mac Allister is expected to slot back into the holding role in midfield.
Bournemouth also have injury concerns. Enes Unal and Lewis Cook are both still recovering from knee problems, while Ryan Christie has a groin injury, Luis Sinisterra is nursing a thigh strain, and Justin Kluivert is sidelined with a calf issue.
Sinisterra has a good chance of featuring on Friday, and Cook is due to return to training this week but is still uncertain to play. Kluivert’s comeback looks less likely due to unexpected setbacks in his recovery.
There is good news for the Cherries, though. Antoine Semenyo is fully fit and ready to go after signing a new contract, and former Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic will make his Premier League debut for the club.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Liverpool possible starting lineup:Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Araujo, Senesi, Hill, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Ouattara; Evanilson
EXPERT PREDICTION
Liverpool 2-1 Bournemouth
Liverpool and Bournemouth supporters will share at least one concern on Friday night: both teams are short on centre-backs. That could set the stage for an opening match full of goals.
Even if Arne Slot’s defence is unlikely to emerge untested, his revamped attack should have more than enough firepower to trouble Bournemouth’s back line and start the champions’ title defence in style.
