The new Premier League season begins with the reigning champions in action. Liverpool swept all before them last term, winning the title at a canter in Arne Slot’s debut campaign at the helm.
Now the Reds are aiming to retain the prize for the first time since 1984. Will they get off to a winning start, or can Bournemouth throw a spanner in the works?
- Liverpool to win and BTTS – 13/8 with SBK
- First goal to arrive between 31 and 40 minutes – 6/1 with bet365
- Hugo Ekitike to score any time – 21/20 with Betfred
Liverpool vs Bournemouth odds
Find the latest Liverpool vs Bournemouth betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.
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Liverpool vs Bournemouth predictions
Liverpool entered last season without their talismanic former manager Jurgen Klopp and having failed to improve their starting XI with new signings in the summer window.
No matter. The Reds sprang a surprise under the astute Arne Slot, who led the club to their 20th league title, joining Manchester United on their perch.
Expectations are higher 12 months on. It is not only that Liverpool are the defending champions, having claimed the crown comfortably last time out. It is also that they have splashed the cash this summer, spending more than £265m on new additions.
The bookies, for one, have Liverpool down as title favourites. They may have lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid at the end of last season, but the Reds succeeded in tying Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk down to new deals.
New boys Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike are ready to go straight into the XI, and Alexander Isak could yet to be on his way from Newcastle United.
However, Liverpool will not have everything their own way this season. It would be a mistake to read too much into the Community Shield (the winner of the traditional curtain-raiser has gone on to win the title just once in the last 14 years), but Slot’s side were subpar for much of last Sunday’s game at Wembley Stadium.
Having been the better team in the first half, Liverpool let Crystal Palace back into the game in the second period. By the end, Palace had created the better chances and probably deserved their penalty shoot-out triumph following a 2-2 draw.
Liverpool produced some eye-catching attacking play at times, particularly in the opening 45 minutes. But they looked defensively suspect, emphasising the need for another central defender before the window closes.
Slot did a wonderful job last season, but he will need to ensure that his team is not too top-heavy this time around. Striking the right balance between attack and defence will be crucial to Liverpool’s ambitions in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Bournemouth make for awkward opponents on the opening night of the new season. Andoni Iraola led the club to a joint-highest ever finish of ninth in 2024/25, and he will be eyeing more of the same this year.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth betting tips
Liverpool kick off their Premier League title defence against Bournemouth on Friday.
Liverpool to come out on top in hard-fought game
Bournemouth were fifth in the Premier League towards the end of February, only to fade late on and finish ninth.
With their high-octane, intense style of play, the Cherries ran out of steam in the final few months of the campaign, ending their European ambitions.
But having rested and recuperated over the summer, Bournemouth will be chomping at the bit to get going on Friday.
Their pressing game and quick transitions will ask questions of a Liverpool backline which was caught out on more than one occasion against Crystal Palace.
However, if this becomes a shootout between the respective attacks, Liverpool will probably come out on top.
Select a Liverpool win and both teams to score at 13/8 with SBK
First goal late in first half?
Liverpool struck early against Crystal Palace, with Ekitike putting them ahead in the fourth minute.
With the home crowd behind them under the floodlights at Anfield, Liverpool will aim to make a similarly fast start against Bournemouth.
We may have to wait longer for the opening goal, however, with Bournemouth likely to get in Liverpool’s faces from the get-go.
Last season, the average time of Liverpool’s first goal scored was around 36 minutes. The average time of their first goal conceded was 35 minutes.
With that in mind, this looks like a decent wager at attractive odds.
Choose the first goal to be scored between minutes 31 and 40 at 6/1 with bet365
Ekitike to enjoy dream Anfield debut
Like many of his team-mates, Ekitike started the Community Shield brightly before becoming more subdued as the game wore on.
The Frenchman needed less than four minutes to get his name on the scoresheet with a cute finish at Wembley.
Liverpool spent £79m on Ekitike, yet they continue to pursue Isak despite Newcastle’s reluctance to sell.
If the former Eintracht Frankfurt man makes a strong start to the Premier League season, he may persuade the powers that be at Anfield to withdraw their interest in Isak.
Ekitike can open his Anfield account against Bournemouth on matchday one.
Tip Hugo Ekitike to score any time at 21/20 with Betfred
Liverpool vs Bournemouth predicted lineups
- Liverpool expected lineup: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
- Bournemouth expected lineup: Petrovic; Araujo, Senesi, Hill, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Ouattara; Evanilson.
How to watch Liverpool vs Bournemouth
- Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England.
- Date and time: Friday 15th August, 8pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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