
Anfield Index
·15 agosto 2025
Match Preview: Liverpool Launch Premier League Title Defence Against Bournemouth

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsAnfield Index
·15 agosto 2025
Date: Friday, 15th August 2025
Venue: Anfield
Kick-off: 20:00 BST
The Premier League champions begin their title defence under the Anfield lights as Arne Slot’s Liverpool welcome Bournemouth for the opening fixture of the 2025/26 season. It’s a chance for the Reds to move on quickly from their Community Shield disappointment against Crystal Palace, with the focus now firmly on making a fast start in the league.
Slot’s second season promises intrigue, with the summer arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Hugo Ekitike refreshing a squad already brimming with quality. Giovanni Leoni appears to be the next arrival, as negotiations continue for Marc Guéhi to improve defensive reinforcements. The potential addition of Alexander Isak still lingers in the background, but for now, Slot will make do with the various weapons already at his disposal.
Bournemouth, led by Andoni Iraola, will arrive with nothing to lose and a licence to play on the counter. The Cherries finished comfortably mid-table last season and will look to cause an upset, much like they have in previous meetings when underestimated. The challenge for them will be containing a Liverpool side that thrives at Anfield under the floodlights. Dean Huijsen and left for Real Madrid, whereas Illia Zabarnyi has arrived at PSG, therefore, the perfect time for the Reds to attack a new look central defence is surely in game week one.
Iraola has a sporadically fit squad from which to choose. Enes Ünal, Lewis Cook Luis Fernando Sinisterra, Ryan Christie, and Justin Kluivert are all expected to miss out through injury.
The visitors are likely to line up with a compact defensive shape, relying on Antoine Semenyo’s pace and Alex Scott’s creativity to threaten on transitions. Evanilson will lead the line against his former club, hoping to make a statement on opening night.
GK: Djordje Petrovic
RB: Julián Araujo
RCB: Chris Mepham
LCB: Marcos Senesi
LB: Julio Soler
CM: Tyler Adams
CM: Hamed Traorè
RW: Antoine Semenyo
ACM: Alex Scott
LW: Dango Ouattara
CF: Evanilson
Slot will have most of his senior players available, with Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez the only confirmed absentees, However, Ryan Gravenberch is serving a one-game ban carried over from last season. Alisson Becker is expected to start, meaning Giorgi Mamardashvili will wait to make his Premier League debut. Florian Wirtz is also in line for his first competitive league appearance, operating as the central creative outlet behind Hugo Ekitike.
Mohamed Salah remains the talisman on the right flank, while Frimpong and Kerkez will be tasked with providing aggressive width from full-back. Alexis Mac Allister is expected to start alongside Dominic Szoboszlai in a double pivot.
GK: Alisson Becker
RB: Jeremie Frimpong
RCB: Ibrahima Konaté
LCB: Virgil van Dijk (c)
LB: Milos Kerkez
CM: Dominic Szoboszlai
CM: Alexis Mac Allister
ACM: Florian Wirtz
RW: Mohamed Salah
CF: Hugo Ekitike
LW: Cody Gakpo
Liverpool will dominate possession, using the width of the pitch to stretch Bournemouth’s defensive lines. The visitors’ best hope lies in soaking up pressure and hitting on the break, especially through Semenyo’s direct running and Solanke’s hold-up play.
If Wirtz can operate freely between the lines, Liverpool could carve open Bournemouth’s compact block repeatedly. The interplay between Salah, Gakpo and Ekitike will also be key, with the latter looking to open his league account in front of the Kop.
Bournemouth’s set-piece threat should not be underestimated, but the champions will be expected to keep the visitors penned in for large spells. An early goal could turn this into a long night for Iraola’s side.
The German playmaker has been signed to unlock stubborn defences, and Bournemouth may be the perfect first test. His vision, sharp movement and ability to thread passes in tight areas could make him the standout on the night.
Liverpool 2 – 0 Bournemouth