Liverpool kick off their Premier League title defence at home to Bournemouth on August 15.
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest for Ekitike & Wirtz's Premier League debut originally appeared on The Sporting News
Liverpool kickstart the 2025/26 Premier League season with an Anfield showdown against Bournemouth on August 15.
Arne Slot's side are seeking to defend their title in the coming months, but they suffered a slip-up last weekend at Wembley, as Crystal Palace snatched the Community Shield via a penalty-shootout win.
Slot has invested heavily in new faces over the summer, including a Premier League record-breaking move for Florian Wirtz, alongside a host of new arrivals on Merseyside.
Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike have all arrived and Slot is still pushing to sign Alexander Isak before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Bournemouth's summer has seen two key exits, with three of their first-choice defence moving on, including Kerez to Liverpool plus Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
MORE: Premier League legend names which trophy Isak would win for Liverpool
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injuries
Slot offered a glimpse into his plans for the season ahead with his starting XI against Palace at Wembley, but he will be forced into making at least one decision.
Ryan Gravenberch missed that game following the birth of his child and he is suspended for the campaign opener following a red card on the final day of 2024/25.
Alexis Mac Allister should come into the starting XI, while Kerkez is on course to start against his old team, with Andy Robertson set for the bench.
Wirtz set up Ekitike for the opening goal at Wembley and the pair will make their Premier League debuts.
Liverpool predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez — Jones, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai — Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz
Injured:Gomez (calf), Bradley (muscle)
Suspended:Gravenberch
Summer departures mean major changes in Andoni Iraola's back line with Adrien Truffert and Bafode Diakite on course for their Premier League bows at Anfield.
Enes Unal and Lewis Cook remain out as long-term injury absentees, with Luis Sinisterra, Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert all still a few weeks away from a comeback.
Bouremouth predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Petrovic (GK) — Smith, Senesi, Diakite, Truffert — Adams, Scott, Tavernier — Semenyo, Evanilson, Ouattara
Injured:Unal (ACL), Cook (knee), Sinisterra (thigh), Christie (groin), Kluivert (calf)
Suspended:None
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth match details
- Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
- Kickoff time: 8 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
- Location: Anfield, Liverpool
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Anthony Taylor
- VAR: Michael Oliver
Latest Liverpool news
- Liverpool's new attacking star snubs price tag pressure
- Alexander Isak takes drastic action to force Liverpool move
- Liverpool star opens up on how team can retain Premier League title
Category: General Sports
