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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)

Liverpool began the new Premier League season with an entertaining win over Bournemouth at an emotional Anfield on Friday evening.

The main positive came with the return as a substitute of Joe Gomez, who hadn't featured in the Premier League since December.

Gomez can offer much-needed cover at centre-back, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate the only other two available senior options on Friday.



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That will change next week with new 18-year-old signing Giovanni Leoni eligible after arriving from Parma, while Liverpool are still hopeful of thrashing out a deal for Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi.

Gomez, though, came on at right-back against Bournemouth, with Conor Bradley still yet to resume training after a minor injury and Jeremie Frimpong complaining of a hamstring issue that forced his early substitution.

Wataru Endo, who briefly filled in on the right of defence before Gomez was introduced, is another alternative as well as at centre-back.

At left-back, Milos Kerkez had a difficult debut against his former club and will come under pressure from Andy Robertson for a starting role, with Kostas Tsimikas again missing on Friday as speculation continues over his future.

Alisson Becker is the undisputed number one goalkeeper ahead of summer arrivals Giorgi Mamardashvili and Armin Pecsi.

Mac Allister benched?

Ryan Gravenberch missed out against Bournemouth while serving a one-match suspension and will be expected to resume his place as one of two deep-lying midfielders.

Who partners him, though, isn't quite so straightforward.

Alexis Mac Allister started on Friday but is still building up match sharpness, while Dominik Szoboszlai was a steady performer throughout, and both Curtis Jones and Endo ended up in midfield from the bench.

In the attacking role, Florian Wirtz made his Premier League debut on Friday but ended it as the number nine before being replaced.

Szoboszlai, Jones and Harvey Elliott are other options, although Elliott has been linked with an exit in recent weeks.

Teenager Trey Nyoni, who was on the bench on Friday, is another engine-room option.

Chiesa claim

Chiesa's first Premier League goal was a timely reminder of his talents, and he has now perhaps emerged as the main challenger at present to Ekitike in the number nine role.

On the left, Gakpo is the man in possession, with teenager Rio Ngumoha and Wirtz alternatives for Slot.

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Mohamed Salah is the favourite to continue on the right, although the slight concerns over Frimpong's fitness and the likely exit of Ben Doak to Bournemouth for £25m mean the Egyptian has few real challengers for his role, save the likes of Szoboszlai or Elliott playing out of position.

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