Liverpool vs Bournemouth Tips & Preview - Champions to begin with home win

By Tolu Shotade

31 seconds ago

Tolu Shotade 31 seconds ago

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Liverpool start title defense at Anfield against Bournemouth.
Liverpool made key signings, including Wirtz, Ekitike, Kerkez and Frimpong.
Bournemouth's defense weakened; lost key players.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth

Liverpool begin their English Premier League title defence at Anfield as they host Bournemouth in a Friday night clash.

It has been a summer of wholesale changes for the Reds, and they may need some time to find their rhythm. However, they often do well in this fixture and should get the better of the Cherries, who have lost much of their defensive quality.

Liverpool News

Liverpool coasted to the Premier League title last season and have been ranked as the favourites to win it again. They have been active in the transfer window, with the arrival of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez and remain heavily linked to Alexander Isak.

Preseason was decent for Liverpool, with four wins from five friendly matches, although they lost on penalties to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield after a 2-2 draw. Home form was pivotal for Arne Slot's team last season, losing just one Premier League game at Anfield throughout the campaign.

For all their acquisitions this summer, Liverpool still need defensive cover, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six matches. All six fixtures have produced over 2.5 goals, while they have led at the break in two of the last three.

Bournemouth News

Bournemouth had a solid campaign last season, just missing out on the European places after finishing ninth in the table. However, they have been raided in this transfer window, with Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi both departing while Kerkez was sold to Liverpool.

The Cherries have been shaky at the back lately and are without a clean sheet in seven of their last nine matches across all competitions. However, they have also scored in seven of those fixtures, while six of their last seven Premier League away matches have produced over 2.5 goals.

The Cherries were a bit unconvincing in preseason, failing to win their last four matches and playing out a 0-0 draw with Real Sociedad in their final warm-up fixture. That stretch continues a poor run from last season as Andoni Iraola’s team lost two of their final three Premier League matches.

Head to Head

Liverpool have 17 wins and one draw, while Bournemouth have been victorious just twice from 20 previous matches. The Reds did the double last season, winning 3-0 at home before a 2-0 away victory in the reverse fixture.

Verdict

Liverpool v Bournemouth

Liverpool may still be working out the kinks of their new look squad, but should still have enough to maintain their dominance over Bournemouth. The hosts have earned a win and over 2.5 goals in four of the last five meetings and could be set for a repeat here.

The Reds have led at the break in four of the last five meetings and could be set to win the first half once again. With neither defence looking convincing at the moment, both teams are likely to score.

Liverpool

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Liverpool

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Yes

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