Premier League don land back for TV screen this Friday night, as champion Liverpool go face Bournemouth for Anfield to open the 2025-26 season.
Arne Slot and im title-holding Reds wan bounce back after dem lose Community Shield to Crystal Palace, but Bournemouth self no dey high on confidence after dem fail win any of their last four pre-season matches.
Match Preview
Last season, injury to Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne form drop, and Arsenal attack wahala make Manchester City and Arsenal commot for title race, as Slot’s Liverpool, powered by Mohamed Salah, lift their 20th league title.
Dem don join Manchester United for top with that number of titles.
Liverpool summer spending show say dem no wan drop the crown any time soon. But dem already lose one chance for silverware this season, after Palace beat dem for penalties for Community Shield.
Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong score debut goals, but e still no enough as Dean Henderson shine for penalty shootout.
Defensive problem still dey show for Liverpool, as dem don concede 10 goals for their last five games (competitive and friendly combined).
Dem also finish last season with four matches without a win – although title don sure before those games. Anfield still be fortress, with 17 Premier League home games unbeaten since Nottingham Forest beat dem last September.
Liverpool never lose opening-day Premier League match since 2012-13 season wey West Brom beat dem 3-0. Dem unbeaten run for matchday one now na 12 games – longest for Premier League.
For Bournemouth side, dem never lose opening-day match since West Brom beat dem for 2017-18 season. Dem don go seven games unbeaten for matchday one. But to make am eight go tough this time.
Last season na their best ever for Premier League – 56 points and just 46 goals conceded – but dem don lose four key defenders: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi, and Milos Kerkez (wey now dey Liverpool).
For pre-season, dem no win their last four matches: two defeats for USA, then two draws at home.
History no dey favour Bournemouth for Anfield – dem never win Liverpool for Merseyside, only one point from last 24 available, and six straight defeats there with aggregate score 23-2. But if dem copy Palace plan, small upset fit happen.
Form
Liverpool (all competitions): L
Bournemouth pre-season form: W W L L D D
Team News
Liverpool go still miss Ryan Gravenberch – e go serve suspension from last season red card against Crystal Palace, and he just welcome pikin. Joe Gomez (Achilles) fit only make bench, while Conor Bradley (muscle injury) still dey 50-50.
Alexis Mac Allister fit return to midfield base, after Curtis Jones break Community Shield record with 53/53 passes completed.
Bournemouth get injury list wey include Enes Unal and Lewis Cook (knee), Ryan Christie (groin), and Justin Kluivert (calf).
Luis Sinisterra don recover from thigh injury but e fit no play because transfer rumours dey. Antoine Semenyo dey ready after new contract, while Djordje Petrovic go make Premier League debut for goal.
New signing Bafode Diakite from Lille never sure to play.
Possible Lineups
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Bournemouth XI: Petrovic; Araujo, Senesi, Hill, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Ouattara; Evanilson
Prediction
We say: Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth
Both sides dey short for centre-back, so goals fit plenty. But Liverpool new attack fit scatter Bournemouth defence as dem begin title defence with win.