**Liverpool**look to lay down the gauntlet when they kick off the new Premier League campaign. On Friday night, they host **Bournemouth**at Anfield, an outfit with a new-look defence but also a few flying forwards under the supervision of a manager who is willing to let them wreak havoc.
Sparks could fly, and that context can suit the traits of the offensive unit of the Reds. But Arne Slot shall be wary of what Andoni Iraola is doing with his side, and he needs to rein in a worrying trend.
Hugo Ekitiké to excite again?
The Reds have spent over £260 million this year, and their offence has gained a different dimension.
**Hugo Ekitiké**has signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee of £69 million with up to £10 million in add-ons. He only hit 50 career club goals at the end of the last campaign, but he is already off the mark in England. His trademark drilled finish found the back of the net after four minutes last week.
What impresses about the Frenchman is far more than just his finishing craft. People have been worried about his strength in hold-up play with his tall, slender frame, but his flicks, tricks, and technical quality connected with other white shirts many times to threaten the Palace defence.
Perhaps most outstanding is his agility when he runs with the ball at his feet. He can delay touches and throw feints with the ease of a winger and set passes accurately after driving down the channels. The assist for **Mo Salah**against Athletic Club in his debut at **Anfield**should be the first of many.
All in all, the 23-year-old has a very well rounded skillset to shine as a forward and the physical tools to get used to life on English shores. He had to try and find separation in tight spaces against a deep and disciplined 5-2-3 block at Wembley Stadium. If the Cherries continue toe embrace the chaos of transitions under Iraola, he will get the chance to try his hand at showing other parts of his repertoire.
How will Slot solve the midfield balance?
The game is won in both boxes, but balance in the middle of the park paves the way towards success.
**Ryan Gravenberch**was one of the stars of the story last season. A rising talent at Ajax, he struggled to make his mark at Bayern Munich and attempted to revive his career in Merseyside. **Jürgen Klopp**brought him into the mix, but he shone under the watch of his compatriot as a sitting midfielder.
However, the Dutchman was absent from the trip to Wembley to attend to the birth of his partner's baby. He will be absent from the matchday squad again as he serves a suspension for a red card from the 1-1 draw with the Eagles in May. That means the composition in the midfield is still not ideal.
On top of that, Alexis Mac Allister is working his way back to full fitness. He filled in as a six for Klopp when he moved from **Brighton**in 2023 and has shown he can collect second balls and stabilise a midfield beyond his ball playing abilities. The Argentine came onto the field midway through the second half last week, and it is not clear that he will be available to play the full ninety minutes.
Slot shall surely see the upcoming season as one where Dominik Szoboszlai has to do the business.
The Hungarian arrived from **RB Leipzig**as one of the double tens from their classic 4-2-2-2 system and started as the most advanced midfielder for Klopp. He has an eye for long range shots, but his ball retention and ability to connect with teammates in the final third are below the level of Florian Wirtz.
His pressing is excellent, but the demands of being in a deeper role are distinct. This clash might have been a day to use him in the ten and Wirtz from the left ahead of the typical double pivot, but if he sits in the same position as against Palace, he needs to put in a better performance on Friday evening.