Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Premier League

Tournament: Premier League

Date: August 15, 2025

Kick-off Time: 7:00 PM GMT

Venue: Anfield

The stage is set for the 2025-26 Premier League season. It's a new season filled with new hopes, and new aspirations for all the teams. Defending champions Liverpool will begin their title defence with a home clash against AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. The Reds come into this game as huge favourites, not just because their run of form or their home support, but also because of the kind of team they have assembled over the summer. Arne Slot took his side on fairytale run and helped Liverpool get their hands on the 20th league title. The outfit from Merseyside are now the joint highest winners of the English top-flight alongside Manchester United.

They capped off their perfect season with a high-spending summer and have landed quite a few superstars. Liverpool will be the side to beat, not just in England, but across all of Europe. They have sent a statement of intent across the footballing fraternity with their moves off the pitch. However, their blockbuster signings have failed to live up to their billing in their last few games in build-up to their season opener. Slot's side comes into this game on the back of a penalty-shootout defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield and will be very poised to get things back on track. They will count upon their tremendous head-to-head record against Bournemouth as they haven't lost a single game since March 2023.

AFC Bournemouth, on the other hand, have had a contrasting summer. While their opponents have landed heroic players, Bournemouth have bid goodbye to a lot of their key players from last season with a hefty price tag. Anfield is filled with bad and horrific memories for the visitors. They once conceded nine goals in a single game and have never managed to beat Liverpool in Merseyside. The onus will be on them to turn things around this season, but it remains to be seen if they manage to take advantage of Liverpool's unsettled side. The Cherries have problems of their own to deal with, but can they come out on top against all odds and rewrite history remains to be seen.

Liverpool Team News

Liverpool are expected to have the majority of their players available for selection. While Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are doubtful due to injuries, Ryan Gravenberch will miss the match and will serve a suspension for the sending off against Crystal Palace last season.

AFC Bournemouth Team News

For Bournemouth, Steven Cook, Enes Ünal, Ryan Christie, Luis Sinisterra, and Justin Kluivert are also doubtful as they are nursing their respective injuries. The remainder of their squad is all fit and ready to compete.

Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth Predicted Lineups

Here are Sportsdunia's Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth Predicted Lineups

Liverpool Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Alisson

Defenders: Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez

Midfielders: Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz

Forwards: Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike

AFC Bournemouth Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Petrovic

Defenders: Araujo, Senesi, Hill, Truffert

Midfielders: Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Ouattara

Forward: Evanilson

Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth Head-to-Head Record

Let's take a look at the last five games between Liverpool and AFC Bournemouth:

Key Players to Watch in Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth

Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)

Florian Wirtz will undoubtedly be the man to watch out for Liverpool in their opening game. The Reds shelled out a huge transfer fee and shattered transfer fee records to land the German wonderkid. Wirtz is certainly one of a kind and the onus will be on him to show what he's like on English soil. Known as one of the most gifted and technically brilliant midfielders in the world right now, Wirtz brings with him a lot of creativity and power to fuel up Liverpool's attacking unit.

Adrien Truffert (AFC Bournemouth)

Adrien Truffert made it to the headlines for becoming AFC Bournemouth's second most expensive player to date. The defender plied his trade from the French top flight to the English top flight in big-money move. Truffert comes in to bolster the backline after the departure of a lot of key men from last season. Primarily a left back, Truffert can also operate as a left wing back and offer flexibility to his manager. He will be a key figure to stop Liverpool's star-studded attacking lineup from causing any damage.

Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth Prediction

Liverpool are the clear favourites coming into this game. They are the defending champions and also know the winning mantra against AFC Bournemouth. They will be poised to start the new season on the front foot and get three points on the board. Experts and pundits all across the world are backing Liverpool to go and get a win in their season opener. Even stats suggest that the home side has an upper hand in this contest with five wins in five games. Moreover, they have scored 14 goals in those five games while conceding just two.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 3-1 AFC Bournemouth

Where to Watch Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth

Here's a look at where to watch Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth match across the world.