Mohamed Salah prepares to lead "Liverpool" into their Premier League opener against "Bournemouth" as the 2025/26 season kicks off at Anfield on Friday, August 15. The Egyptian star remains the focal point of the Reds' attack despite seeing limited action in their Community Shield match against Crystal Palace.
"We're facing some defensive challenges, but our new signings bring exciting possibilities to our attacking options," – a sentiment likely shared by manager Arno Slot as he prepares for his competitive home debut.
Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez are all expected to make their Anfield debuts after joining during the summer transfer window. The defensive issues displayed during the Community Shield will need addressing quickly if the reigning champions hope to start their title defense with a clean sheet.
Interestingly, Kerkez will face his former club immediately after switching sides. The left-back is just one of several defensive departures that have left Andoni Iraola's "Bournemouth" squad significantly weakened at the back. The Cherries have also lost Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen, while injuries to Kluivert, Cook, Christie, and Unal further complicate their preparations.
New signing Adrian Trüffer hasn't fully integrated into the team yet but may be thrown into action out of necessity. History doesn't favor the visitors either – they've never won at Anfield, managing just a single draw in their previous visits.
Bournemouth's rapid progress last season surprised many, but the mass exodus of key players has bookmakers setting their odds at a distant 7.90 for an away win. Liverpool, meanwhile, are clear favorites at 1.35, with a draw priced at 5.80.
The match kicks off at 22:00 local time with Anthony Taylor officiating. Can Iraola's high-pressing tactics compensate for his defensive personnel crisis? Or will Liverpool's new-look attack prove too powerful from the very first matchday?
