Match for the 1st round of the Premier League, at Anfield, home of Liverpool.
What We Know
- Liverpool have won 5 straight games against Bournemouth (14-2 goals).
- They have never lost at home against Bournemouth (10-1-0 record).
- Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s top scorer, scoring 11 times in 12 games when playing against Bournemouth.
- Milos Kerkez joined Liverpool from Bournemouth for €46.9 million this summer and is expected to face his former club for the first time.
Betting Tip Liverpool - Bournemouth
Liverpool start the season as the title favourites, with attacking talent that is hard to doubt, although their defence still looks unsettled. On the other hand, Bournemouth have lost key players, appear underprepared and historically struggle at Anfield. We lean towards a Liverpool win with over 2.5 goals.
- Prediction: Liverpool to win and Over 2.5 goals
- Odds: 1.73 (at the time of writing)
Liverpool
Liverpool begin the new Premier League season aiming to defend their title, which they secured comfortably (84 points) despite a managerial transition from Jürgen Klopp to Arne Slot. They mathematically sealed the deal well before the end of the campaign, on 27 May, with a home win against Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the summer brought significant changes. Key players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold (right back), Luis Díaz (forward), Darwin Núñez (striker) and Caoimhín Kelleher (goalkeeper) departed.
The Reds responded with major signings, including Giorgi Mamardashvili (goalkeeper, Valencia), Jeremie Frimpong (right back, Bayer Leverkusen), Kerkez (left back), Hugo Ekitike (forward, Eintracht Frankfurt) and most notably Florian Wirtz (attacking midfielder), spending around €300 million.
The Pre-season period was not entirely convincing. Liverpool posted 5 wins and just 1 defeat in friendlies across England, Hong Kong, and Japan while scoring with ease.
However, the Reds also showed defensive weaknesses. These weaknesses resurfaced in their first competitive match, a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, a game they eventually lost in a penalty shootout.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth came close to securing European football last season but fell short, finishing 9th with 56 points. This equalled their best ever Premier League finish from the 2016-2017 campaign.
They spent most of the season inside the top seven, playing exciting football under Andoni Iraola’s leadership. They were able to earn impressive wins, such as a sweep over Arsenal and a win against Manchester City.
Iraola remains at the helm despite interest from other clubs. Bournemouth enter the new season with their squad weakened, particularly in defence. Dean Huijsen (centre back) and Kerkez (left back) were sold for a combined €103.9 million, but reinforcements have been slim. Only Djordje Petrovic (goalkeeper, Chelsea) and Adrien Truffert (left back, Rennes) have arrived so far.
The Pre-season games have exposed some vulnerabilities. In 7 friendlies, Bournemouth managed 3 wins and 2 defeats, but their defence lacked stability, and their attackers, their usual strength, have yet to get in a groove.
