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🔥 Match Preview with Interesting Fact
Liverpool’s Premier League title defence kicks off under the Friday night lights at Anfield against Bournemouth — just five days after the Reds suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Crystal Palace in the 2025 FA Community Shield. That game exposed both their attacking power and defensive vulnerabilities, providing Andoni Iraola with a potential blueprint for upsetting the champions.

Interesting Fact: Bournemouth have never won at Anfield in their history, with Liverpool winning their last five meetings at home by an aggregate score of 14–2.

🧠 Team Analysis

🔴 Liverpool
Community Shield Recap (10 Aug 2025):
Liverpool started brightly at Wembley, with Hugo Ekitike scoring just four minutes into his competitive debut and Jeremie Frimpong restoring the lead after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s penalty. However, defensive lapses allowed Ismaïla Sarr to equalise in the 77th minute. The game finished 2–2, with Palace winning 3–2 on penalties after Dean Henderson saved spot-kicks from Salah, Mac Allister, and Elliott.

Implications for Bournemouth Match:

• Attacking shape looked fluid with Ekitike, Salah, and Wirtz linking well.
• Defensive gaps in transition will concern Arne Slot, especially against counter-attacking teams.
• Motivation will be high to respond immediately with a win at Anfield.

Form (last 5 matches in all competitions):
❌ Loss vs Crystal Palace (2–2, 2–3 pens – Community Shield)
✅ Win vs Aston Villa (3–1)
✅ Win vs Man City (2–1)
➖ Draw vs Barcelona (1–1)
✅ Win vs Rangers (4–0)

Key Players to Watch:

• Mohamed Salah – Penalty miss aside, still Liverpool’s most reliable source of goals.
• Florian Wirtz – Creative spark, already showing chemistry with forwards.
• Virgil van Dijk – Needs to marshal the defence more effectively after shaky Community Shield moments.

Injuries & Absentees:
🚫 Ryan Gravenberch (suspension)

Tactical Overview:
Expect Slot to persist with his 4-3-3, but possibly tighten midfield structure to prevent Bournemouth exploiting space on turnovers, a key issue against Palace.

⚫ Bournemouth
Season Outlook:
Mid-table stability is the aim for Bournemouth, who will look to start strongly. Selling Milos Kerkez to Liverpool is a storyline for this fixture, with the Hungarian left-back potentially debuting against his former club.

Form (last 5 matches in all competitions):
❌ Loss vs Brighton (0–1)
✅ Win vs Nottingham Forest (2–0)
➖ Draw vs Crystal Palace (1–1)
❌ Loss vs Villarreal (1–3)
✅ Win vs Portsmouth (3–1)

Key Players to Watch:

• Dominic Solanke – Former Liverpool striker with added motivation.
• Evanilson – Strong aerial presence, could trouble Liverpool on set-pieces.
• Justin Kluivert – Brings pace and creativity on the flanks.

Injuries & Absentees:
🚫 Lloyd Kelly (injury)
❓ Adam Smith (late fitness test)

Tactical Overview:
Iraola is expected to adopt a compact 4-2-3-1, sitting deep and breaking through quick combinations between Solanke and Kluivert.

🔁 Head-to-Head & Past Encounters

📊 Key Stats:

• Liverpool have won the last five meetings.
• Aggregate score: Liverpool 14–2 Bournemouth.
• Bournemouth have failed to score in three of their last four visits to Anfield.

🎯 Prediction with Goal.mu/Mauri.bet
Score Prediction: Liverpool 3–0 Bournemouth
Liverpool’s attack remains potent, and the Community Shield loss is likely to fuel a strong reaction. Bournemouth’s away record against top sides suggests a comfortable home win.

💸 Betting Tips

📋 Possible Lineups

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Tsimikas, Van Dijk, Konaté, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo

Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Senesi, Hill, Truffert; Christie, Adams; Kluivert, Tavernier, Ouattara; Solanke

⏳ Half-Time Result Prediction
Prediction: Liverpool to lead 1–0 at Half-Time
After their early start in the Community Shield, Liverpool will likely push for a quick opener to settle nerves.

🗓 Match Details
📅 Match Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
🏟 Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
⏰ Kickoff Time: 8:00 PM UK Time

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