Match Preview Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth Premier League Game Week 1

Explore Coral’s detailed game week one match preview for Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. Stats, odds, predictions, and line-ups for the opening match of the premier league from Anfield 20:00 BST kick-off, Friday, 15 August 2025.

Fixture: Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth

Date: Friday, 15 August 2025

Kick-off: 20:00 BST

Venue: Anfield

Liverpool, under Arne Slot, aim to build on their 3rd-place finish in 2024/25 (78 points, 86 goals) with a dominant pre-season (6-0-1), including wins over Preston (1-3), Stoke (5-0), Yokohama F. Marinos (1-3), Athletic Club (4-1, 3-2), Manchester United (3-0), and Arsenal (2-1), though a 2-4 loss to AC Milan exposed defensive concerns. AFC Bournemouth, after a 13th-place finish in 2024/25 (49 points), struggled in pre-season (0-1-2), with losses to Manchester United (4-1) and West Ham (0-2) and a draw with Real Sociedad (0-0), highlighting defensive vulnerabilities despite Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier’s contributions.

At Anfield, Liverpool’s home dominance and squad depth should overwhelm Bournemouth’s defence (56 goals conceded in 2024/25). Bournemouth’s counter-attacking threat (Semenyo, Evanilson) could find the net, but Liverpool’s experience and quality should secure a comfortable

Match Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 AFC Bournemouth

Liverpool’s pre-season was impressive (6-0-1), with wins over Preston (1-3), Stoke (5-0), Yokohama F. Marinos (1-3), Athletic Club (4-1, 3-2 in a double-header), Manchester United (3-0), and Arsenal (2-1). A 2-4 loss to AC Milan highlighted defensive lapses, particularly after Jarell Quansah’s departure. Arne Slot’s 4-2-3-1 leverages Mohamed Salah’s scoring (20 goals in 2024/25) and Alexis Mac Allister’s playmaking to dominate possession and exploit Bournemouth’s backline at Anfield.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Win: 3-2 vs Athletic Club (H, second leg)

• Win: 4-1 vs Athletic Club (H, first leg)

• Win: 1-3 vs Yokohama F. Marinos (A)

• Loss: 2-4 vs AC Milan (N)

Bournemouth’s pre-season was disappointing (0-1-2), with losses to Manchester United (4-1) and West Ham (0-2) and a goalless draw with Real Sociedad (0-0), exposing defensive frailties. Their 2024/25 season (49 points, 54 goals scored) showed competitiveness, but away struggles against top teams persist. Andoni Iraola’s 4-2-3-1 relies on Evanilson’s finishing and Tavernier’s creativity to counter-attack, but facing Liverpool’s high press at Anfield will be a challenge.

Recent Pre-Season Results:

• Draw: 0-0 vs Real Sociedad (H)

• Loss: 0-2 vs West Ham (A)

• Loss: 1-4 vs Manchester United (A)

Liverpool have dominated Bournemouth, winning four of five recent Premier League encounters, including a 3-0 victory (21 Sep 2024) and a 4-0 rout (21 Jan 2024). Bournemouth’s inability to score in three of these matches underlines Liverpool’s superiority, though their counter-attacking threat could challenge at Anfield.

Recent Premier League Results:

• AFC Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool (1 Feb 2025)

• Liverpool 3-0 AFC Bournemouth (21 Sep 2024)

• AFC Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool (21 Jan 2024)

• AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool (01 Nov 2023)

• Liverpool 3-1 AFC Bournemouth (19 Aug 2023)

• Ryan Gravenberch (Suspended)

• Enes Unal (knee)

Starting XI: Alisson, Frimpong, van Dijk, Konaté, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Elliott, Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz

Liverpool’s lineup under Arne Slot features Mohamed Salah (20 goals in 2024/25) with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister controlling midfield. The 4-2-3-1 emphasises high pressing and wing play to exploit Bournemouth’s defence, with Virgil van Dijk anchoring the backline.

Starting XI: Petrovic , Smith, Diakité, Senesi, Truffert, Adams, Christie, Semenyo, Tavernier, Kluivert, Evanilson

Bournemouth’s line-up under Andoni Iraola relies on Evanilson’s finishing and Marcus Tavernier’s creativity. Tyler Adams and Ryan Christie provide midfield stability, while Marcos Senesi anchors the defence. The 4-2-3-1 focuses on compact defending and counter-attacks to challenge Liverpool’s high line.

• Mohamed Salah vs Marcos Senesi: Salah’s pace and finishing (20 goals in 2024/25) test Senesi’s defensive solidity.

• Hugo Ekitike vs Adam Smith: Díaz’s dribbling and flair challenge Smith’s defensive positioning.

• Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool): His creativity in midfield could unlock Bournemouth’s defense.

• Evanilson (AFC Bournemouth): His goal-scoring form is crucial for Bournemouth’s counter-attacking threat.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.