Liverpool begin their Premier League title defence with a visit from AFC Bournemouth on Friday, August 15.
The Reds are basking in a transfer window glow after refreshing their squad with Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike.
The Merseysiders still want to add Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola to that stacked attack, rubber-stamping themselves as firm favourites for the Premier League title again.
Many will argue that Liverpool must reinforce the defensive midfield and centre-back positions.
However, they can blow opponents out of the water with firepower like this up top, especially in the Premier League.
However, Bournemouth are coming off a terrific campaign and will back themselves to provide a stern test for Liverpool.
Even though the Cherries have not plugged the holes left by the Dean Huijsen exit (and potentially Ilya Zabarnyi’s departure), they still have more than enough quality to push the Reds to the brink.
Under the brilliant Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth are always dangerous to face. They can attack at breakneck speed, causing the opposition’s backline problems.
For all their attacking brilliance, Liverpool have looked susceptible defensively, and Bournemouth will be eager to capitalise on any chink in the armour.
Pre-season has been a mixed bag for Bournemouth, but they should kick into gear for the start of the season as they bid to take the fight to Liverpool, setting the stage for an exciting showcase.
Liverpool are heading into the season as favourites to retain their crown, so each game will likely come with high demands for tickets, especially through official platforms.
But if you’re looking for value for money options on how to get Liverpool tickets to watch Arne Slot’s side defend their crown this season? Explore Seatsnet.com to get the best packages and deals.
Match Preview
The Premier League champions are at home in Anfield on matchday 1, hoping to lay down a marker against Bournemouth.
The Reds have won 19 of their previous 33 opening matches of a Premier League season, drawing 10 and losing only four.
Liverpool have won their last five home Premier League openers, and talisman Mohamed Salah is the club’s leading opening-day scorer in the Premier League era with nine goals.
The Egyptian winger also boasts the most assists in Premier League openers for the Reds (five).
If Salah scores in the game against Bournemouth, he will become the first player in Premier League history to score 10 goals on matchday one. Do not bet against him clinching that record.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their past 12 opening matches in the Premier League (W9 D3) since a 3-0 defeat to West Brom in 2012/13.
Liverpool will hope to mark a terrific start to the 2025/26 season as they aim for their 21st top-flight league title. It starts with picking up three points when Bournemouth roll into town.
Bournemouth must be desperate to avoid the poor start they suffered last season when they travel to Merseyside.
The Cherries endured a dismal start to the 2024/25 campaign, winning only one of their first five Premier League games, leading to doubts around Iraola.
Still, they rallied to break their record for points by clinching 56, while earmarking themselves as one of the more exciting teams in the division.
They can take the fight to Liverpool, but will their formidability be enough to stop this vicious Liverpool side, thirsty for blood? It remains to be seen.
Head to Head
Liverpool made light work of Bournemouth last season, beating the Cherries 3-0 at Anfield and 2-0 away. The Reds have won their last three league meetings with the visitors by an aggregate scoreline of 9-0.
The six-time UEFA Champions League winners have lost only one of their last 13 league meetings with Bournemouth, a shock 1-0 defeat at the Vitality Stadium in 2023.
Liverpool have beaten Bournemouth 11 times in that run (D1). Across most of their Premier League meetings, Liverpool have consistently outclassed their South Coast rivals.
Liverpool boast a dominant record over Bournemouth, particularly at Anfield, where the Cherries have never secured a win.
In eight Premier League visits to the iconic ground, Bournemouth have managed just a single point, conceding 23 goals while scoring only twice, a staggering 23-2 aggregate scoreline.
The Reds have made Anfield a fortress, especially on opening days, having won their last five home league openers. They are unbeaten in their previous seven.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last seven league openers (W3 D4). However, their record at Anfield suggests a daunting task ahead.
In the 2024/25 season, Liverpool were the only top-four team to take six points off Bournemouth, underlining their recent superiority.
Best XIs
Liverpool
Despite the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Alisson Becker will likely hold on to the starting berth between the sticks.
Ahead of him, a backline of Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, and Kerkez hopes to find some cohesion early on, as they could make the difference in Liverpool’s title ambitions.
Big-money signing Wirtz and Dominick Szoboszlai have been sizzling in pre-season, giving Slot a headache with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister the nailed-on starters in the engine room.
Slot has a wealth of talent, but will likely choose in-form hitman Coady Gakpo, alongside Ekitike, and the ever-reliable Salah in attack.
Predicted XI:
(4-3-3): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Wirtz; Gakpo, Ekitike, Salah.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth spent £25 million to sign Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea following his standout campaign in France. He will get the nod in goal.
Adam Smith and new signing Adrien Truffert should provide the width from full-back, while Marcos Senesi will partner Zabarnyi or a new centre-back.
Against Liverpool, Bournemouth need all the cover they can get in midfield. A partnership of Tyler Adam and Hamed Traore will do the trick.
Bournemouth will likely come to Anfield with a frontline of Antoine Semenyo, Justin Kluivert, and David Brooks, looking to create chances for Evanilson.
Predicted XI:
(4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Truffert; Adams, Traore; Semenyo, Kluivert, Brooks; Evanilson.
Ticket Information
Want to experience the thrill of Premier League football live? Secure your tickets through official club websites.
For great deals and a wide selection of seats, especially for Liverpool games, you can get Liverpool tickets at Seatsnet.com, a secondary marketplace for finding tickets to every Premier League fixture.
Champions League tickets are also available as Liverpool attempt to secure their seventh title.
How to Watch in the United Kingdom
Watch all the 2025/26 Premier League games live on Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and Amazon Prime Video.
Sky Sports delivers the most comprehensive coverage with 128 live matches, followed by TNT Sports with 52 games, and Amazon Prime Video with 20 exclusive streams.
