(Credit: Imago)

Edward Bazeley

Fri 15 August 2025 9:10, UK

Liverpool are hosting Bournemouth in their opening Premier League game on Friday evening.

Dominik Szoboszlai on motivations, Klopp talks, Hungary pride and more	Dominik Szoboszlai hints at new role in message to Mohamed Salah	Liverpool XI vs Bournemouth: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League

It will be an emotional occasion for the Reds on 15 August, as they play their first competitive fixture at Anfield since the tragic death of Diogo Jota.

Arne Slot’s men will also be eager to begin their Premier League title defence by earning all three points at the first time of asking.

Last time out, Liverpool suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday, 10 August, which could prompt lineup changes from Slot.

Football Insider predicts how the Merseyside giants could line up against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday.

Slot is set to name his first lineup of the 2025/26 Premier League season (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

After Crystal Palace managed to get the better of the Liverpool defence on Sunday, Slot should look to add more stability to his lineup.

Therefore, Alexis Mac Allister should come back into the fold to protect the back four, demoting Dominik Szoboszlai to the bench.

But Curtis Jones enjoyed an impressive outing against Palace, so Slot should have no qualms about choosing the academy graduate in the absence of the Netherlands international.

Elsewhere, Milos Kerkez could be in line to make his full Premier League debut for Liverpool, while starting against his former club would see him preferred to Andy Robertson.

Meanwhile, the in form striker Hugo Ekitike should be in line to start up front, supported by the presence of fellow summer signing and attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.

Football Insider verdict

Liverpool predicted XI v Bournemouth

Liverpool displayed their defensive shortcomings against Palace at Wembley, but the North West side enjoyed a largely successful pre-season, involving victories over Preston and Athletic Bilbao.

OpponentDateBournemouth (H)15/08Newcastle (A)25/08Arsenal (H)31/08Liverpool face Bournemouth in their first Premier League game

Slot’s men should have more than enough quality to dispose of a Bournemouth side who have faced a tough transfer window, losing three of last season’s back four.

Kerkez and Dean Huijsen joined Liverpool and Real Madrid, respectively, while Illia Zabarnyi joined Champions League winners PSG after a stellar Premier League season last term.

Therefore, the Reds should get the better of the Cherries thanks to their attacking prowess, while both Wirtz and Ekitike will be keen to open their Premier League goal-scoring accounts.

Bournemouth are familiar with the threat of Mohamed Salah, but when the Egyptian is at his best, little can be done to stop the man who scored 29 top-flight goals last term.

Meanwhile, Italian journalist Luca Bortolotti has discussed imminent signing Giovanni Leoni in a Liverpool News 247 exclusive.

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