Liverpool get the ball rolling on the 2025/26 Premier League season as they face Bournemouth on Friday night.

Having ended last term as runaway champions, it is only right that it is the Reds who kick off the new campaign.

They will do so at Anfield against a Bournemouth side who should not be underestimated under Andoni Iraola.

Iraola guided the Cherries to a 9th place finish in the Premier League last time out, and although he has lost plenty of key players – including Milos Kerkez to Liverpool – the Basque will be aiming to do even better this year.

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For Arne Slot, he knows the importance of getting off to a good start under the Anfield lights.

With games to come away at Newcastle and against Arsenal, Liverpool cannot afford a slip here.

And after being a little overrun by Crystal Palace in last weekend’s Community Shield match, Slot has one absolutely key decision to make which could determine the outcome of the game.

Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images

One of the major problems for Liverpool against Palace was that Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones did not work properly as a midfield duo.

Rousing The Kop wrote after the game that Szoboszlai and Jones should not start together again such was the disappointing nature of their display, and that is something Slot must bear in mind on Friday.

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Once again, Ryan Gravenberch is missing for Liverpool.

After dropping out of the squad last week having become a father on Saturday, the 23-year-old is suspended for this one.

In terms of Alexis Mac Allister, he was not ready to start against Palace, and it remains to be seen whether he can manage more of an impact on opening night.

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However, after watching what Szoboszlai and Jones served up at Wembley, Slot simply must use Mac Allister.

The Argentine was also a little rusty after coming off the bench on Sunday, but without Gravenberch to anchor the midfield, his inclusion on Friday will be vital to a positive result for Liverpool.

Unfortunately, there is a chance that Slot deems Mac Allister not yet ready to begin Friday’s match.

In that event, the Liverpool head coach is likely to stick with Szoboszlai and Jones.

But having seen the Palace midfield cut through them so easily at times on Sunday, that would be a worry for every Liverpool fan.

Mac Allister being back in the side would alleviate those concerns to a degree, and the return of Gravenberch to play alongside the Liverpool No.

10 would take them away completely.

Thankfully, the Reds will have the Dutchman back in, providing he doesn’t get injured in the meantime, for their trip to Newcastle a week on Monday.

With Mac Allister hopefully completely back up to speed by then, Liverpool just need to get through Friday evening intact.
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