The 2025/26 English Premier League gets underway this weekend, with title holders Liverpool hosting AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday night.

Manager Arne Slot’s side begin their title defence after a busy summer transfer window, which saw England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold move on to Real Madrid, as well as the departure of forwards Luiz Diaz and Darwin Nunez. 

Four new first-team players – including former German Bundesliga trio Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong – are likely to be in action to face a Bournemouth side that has never won at Anfield. 

The visitors will line up with an almost entirely different defence to last season, with Dean Hujsen, Ilya Zabarnyi and Milos Kerkez departing for Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool, respectively. 

However, there is reason for optimism as manager Andoni Iraola’s side haven’t lost any of their previous seven English Premier League opening matches. 

EPL Bets writer Callum Close has put together a treble that could net you a tidy profit, here are his reasons why.

What are the best bets for Liverpool v Bournemouth? 

Over 2.5 goals in the match 

Liverpool have netted four goals in each of their last three opening day matches at Anfield. 

Since 2017, every match has featured at least three goals when Liverpool has hosted Bournemouth – four of the last five head-to-heads have featured more than two goals also. 

Mohamed Salah to have over 1.5 shots on target 

The ‘Egyptian King’ recorded four shots on target in this fixture last season, as well as three in the reverse fixture at the Vitality Stadium. 

He also netted a brace in a 2-0 win on the South Coast. 

Antoine Semenyo to have over 0.5 shots on target 

Semenyo had a goal ruled out on Bournemouth’s last visit to Anfield and though they suffered a 3-0 defeat, the winger recorded two shots on target. 

The Ghanaian international did the same in last year’s reverse fixture. 

Where can I watch Liverpool v Bournemouth? 

Liverpool v Bournemouth will be live on Sky Sports and available to stream via its Sky Go service on Friday, August 15, 2025. 

Kick-off at Anfield is at 8pm (GMT).

What is Liverpool’s form? 

D-W-W-W-L

What is Bournemouth’s form? 

W-W-L-L-D

What was the score when Liverpool played Bournemouth in their last game?

Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool (EPL – Feb 1, 2025)

Who scored when Liverpool played Bournemouth in their last game?

Mo Salah (pen 30’), Mo Salah (75’)