Premier League holders Liverpool welcome Bournemouth in the new season's curtain raiser at Anfield as the Reds look to start their title defence strongly
Arne Slot manager of Liverpool
Arne Slot is expecting a tough challenge for Liverpool this season(Image: Vince Mignott/Getty Images)
The Premier League season kicks off with holders Liverpool welcoming Bournemouth to Anfield on Friday night. The Reds will be looking move on from their Community Shield disappointment while the Cherries will be eager to test themselves against this season's favourites.
Arne Slot got off to a superb start to life in Liverpool when he secured the club's 20th league title in their history last season at the first attempt since taking over from Jurgen Klopp last summer. Now the Dutch manager will be looking to add more silverware having lost to PSG in the Champions League, suffered a huge cupset at Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup and losing to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final last season too.
The Reds have invested heavily this summer with the arrivals of Florian Wirtz for a record-breaking transfer fee alongside fellow Bayer Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong as well as Hugo Ekitke and Milos Kerkez to bolster the team's squad depth. The main question mark still remains in Liverpool's team will be who will spearhead the hosts attacking line-up as Alexander Isak's proposed transfer to Merseyside continues to be speculated ahead of the new season.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Ryan Gravenberch will have to wait another week to kick off his league campaign. The Dutch midfielder, who missed the Community Shield after the birth of his child, is suspended following his red card against Crystal Palace on the final day of last season.
He could be one of up to three absentees for the hosts. Joe Gomez is almost certain to miss out as he continues to manage an Achilles issue, while Conor Bradley has a muscular problem and remains a doubt. Those uncertainties push selection focus onto midfield and full back.
Curtis Jones stepped in at Wembley and produced a spotless passing display, completing 53 out of 53 passes to set a Community Shield benchmark. Even so, with fitness restored, Alexis Mac Allister is expected to operate at the base of midfield, offering control on the ball and bite without it.
Andoni Iraola’s side also have a busy treatment room. Enes Unal and Lewis Cook are working back from knee injuries. Ryan Christie (groin), Luis Sinisterra (thigh) and Justin Kluivert (calf) are at different stages of recovery. Sinisterra is trending towards involvement on Friday, Cook is due to rejoin team training but is not guaranteed to feature, and Kluivert is highly unlikely to play due to unforeseen "issues" with his rehabilitation.
There is better news for the Cherries in attack. Antoine Semenyo, fresh from signing a new contract, is available and offers direct running and pressing from the front. Between the posts, former Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is set for his Premier League bow in Bournemouth colours.
Liverpool vs Bournemouth Predicted Lineup
Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Bournemouth: Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Traore; Brooks, Tavernier, Semenyo; Evanilson
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