Verdict: Liverpool win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Officially getting the defence of their Premier League crown underway on Friday night, Liverpool will welcome Bournemouth to Anfield.
Liverpool
Starting with the hosts, eventually getting hit with Community Shield heartbreak at Wembley last weekend, Liverpool are seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, although Jurgen Klopp might have bid an emotional farewell to Anfield last summer, the Reds embarked on what was a record-breaking maiden campaign under Arne Slot’s guidance. Storming their way to an historic 20th domestic crown last season, Liverpool also ended the 2024/25 campaign holding a commanding 10-point buffer over silver medalists Arsenal. Already pencilled in as a standout contender to defend their Premier League title this season, Slot’s side also gained a reputation for their dominance on home soil. In fact, the reigning champions have not suffered a single top-flight defeat at Anfield over the past 11 months.
Liverpool Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Liverpool will once again be without the defensive duo of Joe Gomez and North Ireland international Conor Bradley this weekend. Claiming the Premier League Golden Boot last season, attacking talisman Mohamed Salah will play a leading role in he final third.
Opening his Liverpool account at Wembley last weekend, summer recruit Hugo Ekitike will spearhead Slott’s charge on Friday night. Likewise, completing a record-breaking £116million move from Bayer Leverkusen last month, German ace Florian Wirtz will make his Premier League debut here.
Bournemouth
As for the visitors, while Bournemouth might have received a string of plaudits last season, Andoni Iraola’s men largely failed to find any real stability over the final few months of the 2024/25 campaign. Eventually falling short in the race to book an iconic European ticket, the former Rayo Vallecano boss couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge this weekend. Failing to register consecutive Premier League wins since the end of January, Bournemouth should also be concerned by a nightmare record against the defending champions. Hit with a 2-0 defeat when they welcomed Liverpool to the Vitality for their most recent showdown on February 2nd, they have lost all of their previous five straight meetings across all competitions by an aggregate score of 14-2.
Bournemouth Team News
All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues continuing on from last season, Bournemouth will travel to Anfield on Friday night without the trio of Enes Unal, Luis Sinisterra and Scotland international Ryan Christie. Completing a permanent switch from Chelsea this summer, Djordje Petrovic will start between the sticks.
Returning to full fitness after making just 12 Premier League appearances last season, former Barcelona defender Julian Araujo could start at right-back. Notching 10 top-flight strikes last year, Evanilson will lead the line this weekend.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth Key Factors to Consider
- When Liverpool and Bournemouth last met back on February 2nd, the defending champions collected a 2-0 victory at Anfield.
- Liverpool have won their previous five straight meetings against the Cherries by an aggregate score of 14-2.
- The Reds have not suffered a single Premier League defeat at Anfield since way back in September 2024.
- Bournemouth registered just a single win from any of their final six Premier League matchups away from the Vitality last season.
- The Cherries have failed to win any of their nine historic trips to Anfield across all competitions (seven defeats, two draws).
Conclusion
Suffering Community Shield frustration at Wembley last weekend, Liverpool will be looking to dust themselves down and claim an immediate response here. Storming their way to a record-breaking 20th domestic crown last season, Slot’s men open the 2025/26 campaign pencilled in as a runaway contender to defend their Premier League title this time around. Not suffering a single top-flight defeat at Anfield over the past 11 months, Liverpool will also be excited by a dominant record against Friday’s guests. Along with winning their previous five meetings against Bournemouth by an aggregate score of 14-2, the Cherries have also failed to notch a single win at Anfield from any of their nine historic trips to Merseyside.
Verdict: Liverpool win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 20/21
Bookmaker: Olympusbet