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The Reds are defending their league title after being crowned as champions last term in Arne Slot's first season as head coach.

A mixed pre-season saw Liverpool finish with a defeat in a penalty shootout to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield last week.

The Reds will now be looking to begin their title defence with a victory against the Cherries, with several new signings expected to be handed competitive debuts.

Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez could all start for Liverpool against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday night following their moves earlier in the summer.

Slot will have some selection dilemmas to weigh up when naming the starting line-up to take on the Cherries.

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Liverpool will be without Ryan Gravenberch, who is suspended for the fixture after receiving a red card in the final match of last season.

Alexis Mac Allister emerged as a potential doubt for Liverpool after not starting the Community Shield defeat and seeing his minutes managed during pre-season.

Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley have been sidelined with injuries during pre-season and are doubts to feature against Bournemouth.

Slot told reporters on Thursday that Mac Allister is expected to be available to face Bournemouth.

"Unfortunately, Macca [Mac Allister] had a different pre-season than we would have liked him to have, but he is available now, so I still have a decision to make even though Ryan [Gravenberch] is not there," said Slot.

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The Liverpool head coach also explained why he is hopeful of having Gomez available to face Bournemouth.

Bradley has also been given the same probability of being available for selection to face the Cherries on Friday night.

Mac Allister is not listed in the FPL injury update, suggesting that the midfielder is highly likely to be available to face Bournemouth this week.

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