Preview: Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Prediction, Team News, Line-ups

Liverpool will begin their Premier League title defence on Friday when they welcome Bournemouth to Anfield. 

The Reds recently suffered Community Shield heartbreak at the hands of Crystal Palace, while the Cherries won three of their seven pre-season friendlies. 

Match Preview 

Liverpool have been the busiest club in the ongoing summer transfer window. 

Arne Slot’s side have spent over £265 million to bring in the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike. They may also end up signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. 

However, despite adding a lot of quality to their squad, the Merseyside titans lost to Palace on Sunday to miss out on one potential honour in 2025-26. 

Liverpool led the game twice only to get pegged back each time, with Dean Henderson’s side then prevailing 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout. 

The Reds will now turn their focus to their opening Premier League fixture as they aim to make a solid start to the new campaign. 

Bournemouth finished ninth last season after recording 56 points from 38 matches. 

But they could struggle in the English top-flight this term after losing several key players this summer, including Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Milos Kerkez.  

Anoni Iraola’s side won their first three club friendlies against Hibernian, Bristol City and Everton. 

But they went on to lose to Manchester United and West Ham United before playing out a pair of stalemates in a double-header with Real Sociedad. 

Team News 

Liverpool will not be able to avail the services of Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley on Friday as the two are recovering from fitness issues. Ryan Gravenberch will also be missing to serve a suspension after his red card against Palace on the final day of last season. 

Meanwhile, Bournemouth will be dealing with more injury woes this week than their league rivals. Enes Unal and Lewis Cook have their knee issues, while Ryan Christie, Luis Sinisterra and Justin Kluivert are all at various stages of their recoveries. 

Liverpool vs Bournemouth potential line-ups 

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

Liverpool vs Bournemouth prediction 

Bournemouth have never beaten Liverpool on Merseyside, and their poor record at Anfield is likely to continue this Friday. 

Arne Slot’s men have a lot of quality in attack, and we think they will make the difference for the hosts.

Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth