The 2025/26 Premier League campaign kicks off with Liverpool vs Bournemouth under the Anfield lights this Friday, August 15, at 20:00 (BST). The champions begin their title defence against a Bournemouth side looking to build on last season’s record-breaking campaign.
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Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Champions Start at Home
Liverpool, crowned Premier League winners for the second time in the modern era and 20th in their history, return to Anfield for their first opening-day home fixture since 2020/21. Arne Slot’s side are unbeaten on the opening day for 12 straight seasons (W9, D3) and come into this game on a 17-match unbeaten home run in the league.
Last season’s title was built on attacking dominance – Liverpool scored a league-high 86 goals, kept 14 clean sheets, and netted 2+ goals in a record 31 matches. Mohamed Salah, the Golden Boot winner with 29 goals and 18 assists, will be aiming to extend his incredible record of nine opening-day goals and 11 goals in 11 league appearances against Bournemouth.
Summer Spending Spree
This summer, Liverpool have spent a Premier League-high £295.5m, including a British record £116.5m for German star Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. Other key arrivals include Hugo Ekitike (£79m), Milos Kerkez (£40m from Bournemouth), and Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m). Departures included Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich, Darwin Núñez to Al Hilal, and Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.
Wirtz and Ekitike are expected to make their Premier League debuts, adding fresh firepower to an already potent attack.
Bournemouth’s Record Season
Bournemouth finished 9th last season – equalling their best-ever Premier League finish (2016/17) – and set new club records for wins (15), fewest defeats (12), goals scored (58), and fewest conceded (46). Away from home, they posted seven wins and just five losses, a record bettered by only five clubs.
However, their defensive core has been dismantled. Key figures Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and Milos Kerkez have all departed, with new signing Bafodé Diakité (£34.6m from Lille) stepping in. Antoine Semenyo, fresh from signing a new five-year deal, remains a major threat – last season he scored 11 league goals, ranked 3rd in dribbles completed, and won more duels than any other player.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth – Head-to-Head Dominance
Liverpool have dominated this fixture, winning 11 of the last 12 Premier League meetings and all six at Anfield in that time. Bournemouth have never won at Anfield in any competition (D1, L10). Last season, the Reds did the double – 3-0 at Anfield and 2-0 at the Vitality.
Key Stats – Liverpool vs Bournemouth
- Liverpool: Most goals (86), most shots (648), highest xG (83.5), best save ratio (75.2%).
- Bournemouth: 9th in goals scored (58), 6th in goals conceded (46), 3rd-best save ratio (73.6%).
- Mohamed Salah: 47 goal involvements last season – 18 more than any other player.
- Antoine Semenyo: 37 possessions won in the final third – most in the league.
Prediction
Opta’s model gives Liverpool a 28.7% chance of retaining the title – the highest of any club – and they start as heavy favourites here. Bournemouth’s away resilience may test the champions, but with Salah chasing another record and Wirtz debuting, Anfield will expect a winning start.
