Liverpool vs Bournemouth 2025/26 Premier League Bet Builder & Predictions
The Liverpool vs Bournemouth clash at Anfield on Friday night launches the 2025/26 Premier League season. Liverpool begin their title defence in front of their home fans against a Bournemouth side reshaped by summer departures and injuries. Our football betting expert is recommending backing Liverpool to win, over 2.5 goals and Mo Salah to score at least one goal.
Liverpool has significantly strengthened its squad this summer, adding players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitiké. These acquisitions aim to enhance the team’s depth and quality, with Wirtz and Frimpong both being high-profile signings from Bayer Leverkusen, while Kerkez arrives from Bournemouth, adding much-needed defensive stability. In addition, Ekitiké, a promising attacking option from Eintracht Frankfurt, is expected to provide more attacking flair.
However, Liverpool faces some injury concerns, with Ryan Gravenberch serving a suspension, Joe Gomez dealing with an Achilles issue, and Conor Bradley being a recent doubt due to injury.
Bournemouth has also been active in the transfer market, but its focus has been on player departures. Notable exits include Milos Kerkez to Liverpool for £40 million and Dean Huijsen, who joined Real Madrid for £50 million. Additionally, Bournemouth has parted ways with Jaidon Anthony, who moved to Burnley for £10 million, and goalkeeper Mark Travers, who transferred to Everton for £4 million. Despite these departures, Bournemouth has strengthened its squad by securing signings like Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea for £25 million, Eli Junior Kroupi from Lorient, and Adrien Truffert from Rennes for £14.4 million.
The club is currently managing a series of injuries, with Lewis Cook and Enes Ünal both sidelined with knee injuries, while Ryan Christie continues his recovery from a long-standing groin issue. Justin Kluivert is also unavailable due to a knock
Last season set the frame for this opener. Liverpool won the Premier League with 84 points, scoring 86 and conceding 41. Slot’s side was especially strong at Anfield, posting a 14-4-1 home league record. The champions mixed high pressing with control in possession and spread goals well around the front line, while Mohamed Salah topped the league for goals and assists.
Bournemouth enjoyed a record top-flight finish in ninth with 56 points, a clear step forward under Andoni Iraola. The Cherries were comfortable away from home too, taking 28 points on their travels, and often played with purpose in transition. That improvement deserves credit, though the summer has nudged them into another rebuild.
Head-to-head history leans heavily Liverpool’s way. Bournemouth have never won at Anfield in the Premier League. The last three league meetings there finished 9-0, 3-1 and 3-0 to Liverpool. Recent contests at the Vitality have been more varied, but when the tie moves to Merseyside the pattern is consistent.
Slot also has a habit of starting fast; Liverpool scored early and often in last season’s home fixtures, and their wide players drew a steady stream of chances from cut-backs and overlaps. Bournemouth’s best route has been quick outlets into the channels and set-piece pressure, which they will need to execute cleanly to stay in the game.
Liverpool Win HT/FT (4/7)
Research: The Anfield trend is hard to ignore. Liverpool’s home form last season was elite, while Bournemouth took most of their notable results away but not on this ground. With the champions unveiling high-profile additions and the visitors bedding in a reshaped back line, a Liverpool lead at the interval, followed by a professional close looks the most likely flow. The historical record against this opponent at Anfield supports it, and Slot’s sides rarely drift once in front.
Over 2.5 Goals (8/15)
Research: This fixture has long been open, averaging about 3.4 goals across the last twenty meetings in all competitions. Liverpool’s league-leading attack last term carried both volume and variety, and the right-back and right-wing combinations generated repeatable chances. Bournemouth improved defensively in 2024/25, yet their style still invites space when presses are beaten. If Liverpool scores first, the game stretches. If Bournemouth nick one, Liverpool tend to respond quickly at home. Either way, the profile suits a goals pick.
Mohamed Salah to Score Anytime (4/5)
Research: Salah is the Premier League’s record scorer on opening weekends and has an excellent return against Bournemouth. His penalty duty adds a reliable path to a goal, and his understanding with new arrivals should produce chances from the right half-space and the six-yard zone. With Bournemouth missing or easing back a couple of first-choice defenders and screeners, Liverpool’s leading forward remains the clearest selection in the goalscorer markets.
Conclusion: Liverpool vs Bournemouth Bet Builder
To summarise, here are our football betting tips for the Liverpool vs Bournemouth match:
Liverpool Win HT/FT (4/7): Home dominance and continuity under Slot point to control from the start.
Over 2.5 Goals (8/15): Long-run scoring profile and stylistic matchup favour a higher-total game.
Mohamed Salah Anytime (4/5): Opening-day record, penalties and matchup quality support the pick.
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