Liverpool Eyeing Successful Start Under Slot

It has been quite the rollercoaster summer for Liverpool FC.

The Reds dominated the 2024/25 Premier League campaign in their first year under Arne Slot, winning their first championship in five years and ending Manchester City’s unprecedented run of four consecutive league titles. It was the first time they won the English top-flight in front of their own fans in 35 years, with the COVID-19 pandemic preventing them from holding a trophy parade back in 2020.

Since then, Liverpool have had quite a few changes to their squad. Legendary right back Trent Alexander-Arnold has joined Real Madrid, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong replacing him. There’s also been movement in the backup goalkeeper department, with Armin Pesci, Freddie Woodman and returning loanee Giorgi Mamardashvilli replacing Vitezslav Jaros and Caoiminh Kelleher between the sticks.

Milos Kerkez has joined from Bournemouth and will be competing with Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas at the left back position. And in attack, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have arrived to reinforce their final third in lieu of the sales of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz as well as the tragic death of Diogo Jota.

This new-look Liverpool outfit will be taking shape on Friday as they face off against Bournemouth at Anfield. The new york sports betting lines have priced Liverpool as the overwhelming favorites, and there’s little reason to believe that Bournemouth will beat the odds.

Whilst Liverpool have bolstered their squad with a number of blockbuster arrivals, Bournemouth have lost four vital figures of last season’s defensive spine. Center back duo Ilya Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen have made the move to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, respectively, whilst then-Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined Arsenal, with Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic replacing him in goal.

The Reds have spent the past month vigorously preparing for their new season, beating Preston 3-1 before losing 4-2 to Milan. Since then, they’ve beaten Yokohama F. Marinos 3-1 and beaten Athletic Club 4-1 and 3-2. Liverpool then headed to Wembley Stadium for the Community Shield, where, despite taking the lead on two occasions, they ended up losing on penalties to Crystal Palace. Bournemouth, meanwhile, kicked off their preseason with a 2-1 win against Hibernian and a 3-0 win against Everton before succumbing to defeats against Manchester United and West Ham, followed by draws to Real Sociedad’s B team and senior team.

Liverpool have won each of their last five matches against the Cherries, keeping a clean sheet in their last three meetings, whilst eight of the last 10 encounters between the two have served up over 2.5 goals. Liverpool have broken the deadlock in four of their last five matches, whilst they’ve gone into halftime on top in eight of their last 10.

Having won nine of their last 10 matches vs. Bournemouth, scoring nine goals in their last three, all signs point to Liverpool continuing their superb run of form and kicking off their Premier League title defense with a victory. Whilst Bournemouth have made significant strides under Andoni Iraola, the departures of so many key figures may just cause them to struggle for the first few weeks of the campaign before the new arrivals can start to adapt to his style of play.