Liverpool vs Bournemouth Prediction: Premier League Opening

While competitors like Man City or Arsenal "shoot themselves in the foot", Liverpool with Salah's inspiration deserves to win the 20th domestic title in history.

The unprecedented spending in the summer of 2025 shows that the Reds do not want to lose their number 1 position in the Premier League.

LiverpoolVsBournemouth_Blog 2.jpg — Kerkez has the opportunity to reunite with his old teammates - Photo: WSB

However, the challenge for Arne Slot and his team is huge. That was shown in the Community Shield match, even though Liverpool twice took the lead thanks to goals from new signing Ekitike and Frimpong.

Crystal Palace fought back fiercely, taking full advantage of the mistakes of The Kop's defense, before finishing off their opponents on penalties.

The bright spot in Liverpool's playing style is the good adaptation of the new players. Florian Writz created the opening goal, while Ekitike and Frimpong took turns scoring.

However, the worrying problem for coach Slot is that the two pillars Van Dijk and Salah are both showing signs of declining performance due to age.

Playing the opening match of the 2025/26 Premier League season at home is a huge advantage, as The Kop have not lost here since September last year. They are also unbeaten on opening day since 2012.

With Bournemouth, after the club's highest ever 8th-place finish, conceding the fewest goals in the Premier League in 2024/25, their defense is in disarray.

Van Dijk's form shows signs of decline - Photo: LFC

Four members of last season's resilient defence, Kepa, Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez, have all said goodbye to the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth did not have good preparation, losing to MU and West Ham and drawing with Real Sociedad in pre-season friendlies.

Looking back, Bournemouth have never beaten Liverpool at Anfield, winning only 1 point in the last 24 confrontations in the Premier League.

Asian ratio: Liverpool handicap 1 3/4 (0: 1 3/4) - TX: 3 1/2

Prediction: Liverpool win 2-1

Force information

Liverpool: Gravenberch is suspended. Joe Gomez and Bradley are absent due to injury.

Bournemouth: Enes Unal, Lewis Cook, Ryan Christie, Luis Sinisterra and Justin Kluivert are injured.

Expected lineup

Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Bournemouth: Petrovic; Araujo, Senesi, Hill, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Ouattara; Evanilson.

Match schedule
Round 1
08/16/2025 02:00:00	Liverpool - Bournemouth
08/16/2025 18:30:00	Aston Villa - Newcastle
08/16/2025 21:00:00	Brighton - Fulham
08/16/2025 21:00:00	Sunderland - West Ham
08/16/2025 21:00:00	Tottenham - Burnley
08/16/2025 23:30:00	Wolves - Manchester City
08/17/2025 20:00:00	Chelsea - Crystal Palace
08/17/2025 20:00:00	Nottingham Forest - Brentford
08/17/2025 22:30:00	Manchester United - Arsenal
08/19/2025 02:00:00	Leeds - Everton