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IMAGE CREDITS: Liverpool Football Club

Premier League football returns on Friday as champions Liverpool host Bournemouth at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s side look to bounce back after Community Shield disappointment against Crystal Palace, while Bournemouth enter the season winless in their last four friendlies.

Liverpool’s heavy summer spending signals their intent to retain the title, but defensive worries persist after conceding 10 goals in their last five matches.

Palace’s penalty shootout win, highlighted by Dean Henderson’s heroics, saw debut goals from Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong go in vain.

Liverpool went winless in their last four matches of the 2024-25 season, but only after securing the title.

They remain unbeaten at Anfield in the league for 17 games since losing to Nottingham Forest last September.

The Reds haven’t lost on a season opener since 2012-13, giving them a 12-match unbeaten streak on opening days—the longest in Premier League history.

West Brom were the last team to beat Bournemouth on a season opener, in 2017-18.

Since then, the Cherries have remained unbeaten in their last seven opening-day matches.

Joe Gomez has returned to training ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Anfield, according to The Athletic.

The 28-year-old recovered from an Achilles injury that forced him to miss pre-season games in Asia and the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace.

He resumed training at Kirkby on Wednesday after nearly three weeks on the sidelines.

Gomez’s return boosts head coach Arne Slot, who has only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as senior centre-backs.

Liverpool are pursuing defensive reinforcements, including Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni.

On Joe Gomez’s fitness, Slot said ahead of the Community Shield: “Unfortunately he has a minor injury at the moment but he will be back with the team very soon.”

After a hamstring injury limited him to 17 appearances last season, Gomez will be eager for a healthier campaign.

Read more: Why Liverpool are racing to secure Giovanni Leoni

Giovanni Leoni agrees personal terms with Liverpool

Oliver Glasner stance on Marc Guehi revealed

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