Liverpool vs Bournemouth - Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Mo Salah seals victory after late Federico Chiesa goal

I have one word to describe Hugo Ekitike: baller.

Now, I knew that the Frenchman was talented, but I didn't quite expect to see him ripping up English football this quickly.

He has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water.

Tonight, Ekitike became only the second player to both score and assist a goal on his Premier League debut for Liverpool, after Darwin Núñez against Fulham in August 2022.

Indeed, Ekitike was the first Frenchman to score and assist on his debut in the competition, while the last player of any nationality to do so was Núñez in August 2022.

Liverpool fans will be hoping his career at the club goes a little bit better than Darwin Nunez's, mind.

Going by his performances, so far, I reckon it will.

Federico Chiesa, Liverpool matchwinner, speaking to BBC Sport:

On finally scoring a Premier League goal:

Mohamed Salah and the opening day are like peanut butter and jelly.

He left it late, but there was never a chance in hell that Salah was leaving the pitch this evening without finding the back of the net.

Salah is both the top scorer (10) and has the most combined goals and assists (15) of any player on MD1 in Premier League history.

One of my colleagues was fuming when he found the net because he doesn't have him in his fantasy team.

I mean, why would you not have Salah in your team? Silly billy.

Bournemouth may have lost tonight, but they should leave Anfield very encouraged by their performance.

They have been ransacked this summer, losing many of their top talents without replacing them.

So to do as much damage to Liverpool as they did, and nearly complete a comeback to draw, is just so impressive.

I mean, they ripped the champions apart for long periods.

In my prediction for the Premier League, I had Bournemouth quite low down, but maybe I need to rethink.

Adam Smith, Bournemouth captain, on Sky Sports:

Now Liverpool have released a statement regarding the alleged racist abuse toward Antoine Semenyo.

The club are aware of the incident and have condemned all forms of racism.

Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth manager, speaking to Sky Sports:

The Premier League have now released a statement on the report of racial abuse from Antoine Semenyo.

Bournemouth are now working with Merseyside police to get to the bottom of the incident.

For Antoine Semenyo to even play on, let alone bag a brace, after reporting racial abuse in teh first half, is incredibly inspiring.

Semenyo spoke to referee Anthony Taylor in the first half to report the abuse, supposedly from a fan in the main stand.

Despite the incident, he brought himself together and managed to score two goals away at Anfield. Unbelievable.

He now needs all the support he can get, and hopefully it will be dealt with in the right way.

Gary Neville, former Man United defender, on Sky Sports:

Mohamed Salah really was emotional at full-time.

There were tears in his eyes before the match as they paid tribute to Diogo Jota, and it was no different after the final whistle.

It must be so hard for the Liverpool players to grieve such a close team-mate and friend, while just getting on with games.

Salah and Jota played together for five years, and by the end, they were very close.

And listening to Jota's song clearly set Salah off at full-time; he couldn't hold back the tears any longer.

A touching moment on an emotional day.

Seeing as he just bagged the winner, I think it's time we remind ourselves of the Federico Chiesa song.

I gave you the lyrics on Sunday, and you bet I'm going to do it again.

And a one, two, three, four...

'You can hear them crying in Turin, Federico, he's here to win.

'One chat with Arne Slot and he said ciao, f*** off Juve, I'm a Kopite now.

'Du du du du du....'

I reckon a fair few Liverpool fans are skipping out of Anfield while singing that song right now.

Don't blame them!

What a time to score your first Premier League goal, eh?

I still find it mental that Chiesa hadn't scored in the league for Liverpool before tonight, but I guess it doesn't really matter.

With that strike goal, Chiesa scored Liverpool’s latest ever MD1 winning goal in the competition (87:46), while it was the latest by any side in their opener in the English top-flight since Diego Costa for Chelsea v West Ham in 2016-17 (88:43).

We all love a late winner, unless you're a Cherries fan.

Now, that is what you call a roar.

The let-off from those in red as Federico Chiesa caressed the ball into the back of the neck could have registered on the Richter scale.

Yep, it's that loud. Just listen.

For a player who has barely been given a kick in a Liverpool shirt, what a moment that was for Chiesa.

Wow, what a way to open the season.

Anfield always does cracking nights under the lights, and it has just started the season on flames.

It would have already been described as a belter based on Bournemouth's comeback, so the fact that there was a late winner was just an added bonus.

Liverpool are going to have a lot of high-scoring matches this season, based on that. So open at the back, so potent in attack. Goals galore.

I'm certainly not complaining.

The night ends as it started, with the Diogo Jota chant blaring out from all four sides of the ground.

The moment Mohamed Salah scored, it began, and it's still going.

The players have been celebrating, and now many of them are just standing in front of the Kop listening to the song.

Salah is clapping along and clearly looks emotional as the chant continues; there are tears in his eyes.

That was for Diogo.

What. A. Match.

If this is what we can expect from Liverpool this season, we are in for one hell of a ride.

Bournemouth came from two down to seemingly clip the Liverbird's wings on the opening night, but then Federico Chiesa broke their hearts.

Mo Salah wrapped it up, and the champions start with three points.

Mohamed Salah gets his goal!

The Egyptian King simply has to score on the opening day; it's what he does, and what a goal it is.

Salah races in behind, goes alone, cuts in on to his right foot, and buries the ball into teh bottom corner.

He then pulls out one of Diogo Jota's classic celebrations in his memory.

Game, set, match.

It's worth noting that Federico Chiesa's goal was his very first in the Premier League.

For teh first time, he hears his chant bellowed out in celebration after a strike, rather than just for vibes.

The fans haven't stopped singing it for four minutes.

Wow, this atmosphere.

The Federico Chiesa song has engulfed Anfield, and the Reds in the stands are in party mode.

This isn't over yet, though, and there will be six minutes of stoppage time at Anfield.

Squeaky bum time.

ANFIELD ERUPTS!!!!!!

What do I know about football, eh?

It's a masterstroke from Arne Slot as Liverpool's cult hero Federico Chiesa has saved the day from the bench.

The ball bounces his way in the box, and he volleys the ball brilliantly into the corner.

Cue the song!

I don't think this is going to happen for Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk sums up their last 20 minutes as he smacks a long ball over everybody and out for a goal kick.

The champions are running out of time.

Now Bournemouth make a switch.

Ben Winterburn is on and David Brooks is the player who makes way, which is another interesting sub.

What a shift from Brooks, he has been brilliant tonight.

Erm... what?

Arne Slot has made a very strange decision here.

The Dutchman needs a goal, but he is taking off Florian Wirtz with nine minutes to go.

Fedrico Chiesa replaces him, so at least we get to hear the chant, but that is an odd move.

That's much better from Liverpool, much, much better.

Liverpool know they have to go for it, and that they are, as Florian Wirtz plays through Dominik Szoboszlai.

But under pressure, the midfielder can't quite keep his effort on target.

I have a feeling Bournemouth may go on and win this.

Liverpool are all over the place, and the problems that were apparent in pre-season have undone the champions here.

What a comeback from the visitors.

BOURNEMOUTH HAVE DONE IT!

It's the classic suckerpunch, and Antoine Semenyo has done it again for the Cherries.

It's a disaster class at the back for Liverpool, who have no bodies back as Semenyo leads the counter.

He could pass, but he shoots, and what a finish.

Who saw this coming? I didn't.

Now it's Bournemouth's turn to make a change.

Alex Scott has put in a good shift, but now he is making way for Hamed Traore.

This is going to be a tense last 15 minutes...

These are some interesting substitutions.

When Arne Slot took Hugo Ekitike off in the Community Shield, Liverpool lost all attacking potency.

Well, he is being taken off.

Curtis Jones replaces him, and Joe Gomez is on for Alexis Mac Allister.

Who is going to play where, I don't know.

Bournemouth have turned into Barcelona. What is going on?

Some of the passing, my word.

They weave some lovely balls together to dance around the Liverpool backline, and David Brooks is in, but then his shot gets blocked.

It feels like the equaliser is coming.

Alisson, wow.

The goalkeeper has just managed to pick out Mohamed Salah from his own box with a pearler of a goal kick.

That is just silly.

Salah looks like he is away, but three Bournemouth defenders get back and surround him to kill the chance.

The atmosphere inside this stadium has just changed quite a bit.

Bournemouth are now pressing forward in search of an equaliser, and you can hear groans emerging from the crowd.

The Cherries smell blood here.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a game.

A moment ago, Bournemouth were nearly down and out, but now they are right back in this game.

Antoine Semenyo is the scorer, but all credit has to go to David Brooks; that is a joke of a cross (in a good way).

He bends in a beauty from the left, and Semenyo races beyond Andy Robertson to score.

Game on.

So, so close to three.

Florian Wirtz has been patiently waiting for his moment in front of goal all night, and there it was.

Dominik Szoboszlai rolls the ball to him on the edge of the area, he has a pop first time, and it rolls just wide.

I thought that was going in for a second.

Erm, is the board right?

Wataru Endo is being brought on, but not for whom you would expect.

The midfielder replaces Jeremie Frimpong and will now slot in at right-back.

Meanwhile, Andy Robertson gets a huge cheer as he comes on for Milos Kerkez.

Cody Gakpo was pretty quiet in the first half, but now he is everywhere.

Bournemouth allow him to cut in off the left, which is not what you want him to do as an opposition player, and Gakpo starts dancing again.

He tries to drill one into the path of Mohamed Salah, but the Egyptian can't quite get to it.

Oh, hello...

It takes a lot to get Mohamed Salah riled up, but Adam Smith has certainly managed it.

Salah seems to have snapped and has gone head-to-head with the Bournemouth full-back, following a little pushing battle.

It's rare to see him like that.

Ooooft, what a goal that would have been.

We all know that Alexis Mac Allister can hit them, but for some reason, Bournemouth decide it's a good idea to give him space 25 yards out.

Mac Allister says, 'OK', and unleashes a ferocious strike which is heading for the top corner.

But once again, Dorde Petrovic gets a hand to it.

Oh, now Liverpool are really purring.

They have a spring in their step, and they weave one hell of a move together yet again.

Dominik Szoboszlai bends a sizzling pass into the path of Mo Salah, who breaks away before trying a trivela cross into the box.

Dorde Petrovic just about gets to it...

Lovely, lovely, lovely!

With all the new faces through the door at Anfield this summer, it's easy to forget just how brilliant Cody Gakpo is.

Hugo Ekitike gives him the ball, he dances past one, two, three, and then beautifully bends the ball low into the bottom corner.

The champions have breathing space.

Hugo Ekitike is a joke, my word.

Last week, he executed a deft flick to set Liverpool on teh counter, and now he has just done it again, just with more force.

He combines brilliantly with Florian Wirtz, and all of a sudden, Liverpool are on their bikes.

But eventually, after winning a corner, Ekitike's header goes over.

Right then, the ball is rolling again.

Neither manager has made a change at the break, which isn't really a surprise for now.

Anfield is rather quiet as we get back underway, I have to say. Those pints and pies must really be good.

Now this really is touching.

I told you all about the fans' tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of the match, and how emotional it was.

Well, if you haven't seen it, here it is.

A truly special tribute for a man who was taken from the world too soon.

Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, on Sky Sports:

This really is awful.

Antoine Semenyo reported to the referee Antoine Semenyo that he was racially abused in the first half, and the fact that it still happens in 2025 is disgusting.

It's said that the abuse came from a fan in the crowd, and hopefully, they are dealt with accordingly.

We are yet to know the full extent to what was said, but I'm sure information will come out in due course.

Right, let's have a look at how Hugo Ekitike opened teh scoring then, shall we?

There is an element of luck in the build-up, but take nothing away from the finish.

If that were Darwin Nunez, he would have found some way to either hit the post or blaze miles into the crowd. Sorry, Darwin, I don't mean to be horrible, but it's true.

But now Liverpool have Ekitike, and boy, does he look like a player.

What a crazy end to the half.

At one end, Bournemouth want a penalty as Alex Scot goes flying in the box, but it's not given.

Liverpool then go straight up teh other end and Moahmed Salah has Dominik Szoboszlai alongside him in the area. But he goes alone and loses the ball.

And there goes the whistle, Liverpool lead at the break... just.

Bournemouth are having a spell of late pressure here.

They have Liverpool on the back foot, but just as I say that, Marcus Tavernier takes a terrible free-kick.

Still, Liverpool need to be careful here...

There are going to be three minutes added on here.

Anfield is currently the quietest it's been all night; all the fans are off for their half-time pints and pies.

Ohhhhhh... Milos Kerkez.

The Hungarian is having a really poor Anfield debut, and he is lucky that it's still going.

The full-back is late to the ball as Adam Smith looks to race down the right, and he almost snaps the Cherries captain in half.

That's an orange card in my book, but a yellow will do.

Hugo Ekitike already seems to be a fan favourite around these parts.

The fans are singing his name on repeat right now after that goal, which must feel good for the Frenchman. Not the most tuneful chant, but it's something.

Feel for Cody Gakpo, mind. Three years in, and he still doesn't have a song.

Ohhhh, so nearly two.

What did Hugo Ekitike have for breakfast? Whatever it was, I want some of it tomorrow.

The striker is on fire, and he very nearly bags a brace when he gets his noggin on a teasing cross.

But he is leaning back, and his head flies just over the bar.

Liverpool have lift-off!

So cool, so calm. Hugo Ekitike is having the perfect start to life at Liverpool.

It's two in two for the |Frenchman, as he slides the ball past Dorde Petrovic after it breaks for him following Alexis Mac Allister's chance.

The champions are up and running.

That is some lovely, lovely football from Bournemouth.

The visitors really should be one to the good after Adam Smith slides a dangerous ball into the box from the right.

Two players dummy it, and Marcus Tavernier runs onto the ball and pulls the trigger. But it's a tame effort, and Alisson collects.

Milos Kerkez is having a stinking debut, I have to be honest.

Hugo Ekitike is quite a strong fella.

For somebody who seems so lean, he has just managed to do really well to win a throw-in from a long free-kick.

He has no right to win that, but he does. Fair play.

Oh dear, this isn't good.

The break in play was reportedly due to Antoine Semenyo being subject to racial abuse from the crowd.

Really disappointing, it goes without saying that there is no room for that in this sport.

What's going on here then?

Anthony Taylor has gone to the touchline and started having words with both Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola.

And now there is some random person there with a uniform on, who isn't the fourth official, so it must be important.

There is going to be a break in play. For how long, we don't know.

Ohhhhh, it's getting a little tasty here.

Alexis Mac Allister loves a tackle, and my word, he goes flying in on Antoine Semenyo.

The Bournemouth players don't like it, and there is now a bit of needle in this game. The fans react too.

What this game needed.

Tuneeeeee.

If you read my coverage a lot, you will know just how much I love the Federico Chiesa chant.

Well, the Kop has started singing it, and now I am fighting with every fibre of my being to stay professional and not sing along.

'You can hear them crying in Turin...'

Right, it's time to talk about Liverpool's kit.

I mean, wow, wow, wow. It's a thing of beauty.

Mohamed Salah is wearing long sleeves, and I am just in awe. It's one of the nicest Liverpool kits I have ever seen.

The clock hits 20 minutes, so you know what that means.

Yes, the Diogo Jota song is ringing around Anfield again, and one fan holds Jota's shirt in the air.

We will be seeing this a lot this season, and it will always be beautiful.

Liverpool's early momentum has dissipated a little now.

The problem is, they look very nervy at the back, and Bournemouth look like they can cause them a lot of problems on the counter.

Ibrahima Konate is one who needs to give his head a little wobble because he is all over the place.

Looks a bit like Bambi on ice.

Ohhhh, stop that Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian is himself once more, and has just whipped one hell of a ball over teh top to send Cody Gakpo away down the left.

Who needs Trent Alexander-Arnold, eh?

Erm... I'm sorry, what?

How has Marcos Senesi not been red-carded there?

He practically attempts to swipe the ball with his hand to stop Hugo Ekitike running through one-on-one.

But nope, VAR sees nothing wrong with it.

Meanwhile, David Brooks has been yellow-carded, and I'm not actually sure why.

Liverpool are just so open, this is crazy.

Bournemouth are starting to get so much joy in behind, just like Crystal Palace did last week.

One ball over the top, and David Brooks is in down the left.

But Liverpool survive in the end, and now there is a VAR check for handball ongoing. Give me a sec.

Bournemouth are starting to really grow into this game now.

They win a corner, and Evanilson manages to get his head on the end of it.

It looks like it's heading for the corner, and Dominik Szoboszlai has to leap back to clear just in front of the line.

Boy, that was close.

What a start this has been.

Now, Bournemouth decide they want to get in on the entertainment and very nearly silence Anfield.

The ball is whipped to the back stick, and Antoine Semenyo is steaming in with Milos Kerkez alongside him.

He gets to the ball, but Kerkez just about does enough to put his former team-mate off, and Semenyo blasts over.

Close, but not close enough.

Liverpool really do mean business.

From the corner, Virgil van Dijk gets that big beautiful head of his on the ball, and you think its goal time.

But nope, he heads the ball straight down Djordje Petrovic's gullet. That's a real chance.

Phoarrrrr.

Mohamed Salah loves an opening day, and he nearly marks his ninth in a Liverpool shirt with an absolute screamer.

He cuts in from the left and has a pop from 25 yards out, and it looks like it's dipping in.

But Djordje Petrovic just about manages to tip it over.

This is a special atmosphere, wow.

These Liverpool fans are well up for this, and are now belting out 'champions, champions' at teh top of their lung. Boy, it's loud.

And just as I type that, Hugo Ekitike has a pop from range, just like he did on Sunday, but this time it does not go in.

After his last goal, I get why he went for it.

The Diogo Jota is being sung again, and this time it's somehow even louder than before.

It's so loud that I can barely even hear the whistle as it's blown to signal the start of this Premier League season.

Off we go.

That was special, it really was.

There is now a minute's silence, and a mosaic displaying 'DJ 20' with Portugal colours around it is formed in the Kop.

This time, it's observed beautifully by every single person in the crowd.

There is also a mosaic for Andre Silva, the brother of Diogo, who died in the car crash alongside the late striker.

As the Liverpool players line-up in the tunnel ready to emerge, Diogo Jota's name rings around Anfield.

This is not the last time we will hear this song, that's for sure.

It carries on as the players walk onto the turf, and it drowns out the Premier League anthem when it starts playing.

There are Portuguese flags flying in the Kop, and then You'll Never Walk Alone begins. It's fuelled by emotion, and there are a few fans with tears in their eyes.

Mohamed Salah looks incredibly emotional, bringing his hands to his face, and then the players gather around the centre circle to prepare for the minute's silence.

Incredibly moving, I have to say.

Antoine Semenyo, Bournemouth winger, on Sky Sports:

You know, I said Liverpool had a new look? I meant it.

Excluding the inaugural 1992-93 season, Liverpool are the first reigning champions to name as many as four players in their opening day starting XI who are making their Premier League debuts for the club.

Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong are all chucked straight into the side.

Can they prove why they were bought?

Guys, it's nearly time.

My face currently looks like Dominik Szobiszlai's in the picture below. No, I don't mean I'm as good-looking as the Hungarian, although I do have long hair, but I do have a big, beaming smile.

One bloke did once shout 'Oi, Szoboszlai' at me while I was running a half-marathon, so maybe I am being harsh on myself. Twins.

Anyway, the warm-ups are now done, and we are nearly ready to get going.

Oh, look who is here.

A few hours ago (or maybe yesterday in all honesty), Giovanni Leoni was signing on the dotted line for Liverpool, and now he is already at Anfield.

Drink it all in, son, you'll be flying into tackles on that carpet in absolutely no time.

Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth manager, on Sky Sports:

I'll tell you what, it's been a big day for transfers.

Liverpool have signed somebody, but not only that, they are close to letting one young fella go to the team they are playing today.

Ben Doak is reportedly closing in on a £25m move to Bournemouth, and that's why he is not on the Liverpool bench tonight.

Now, I'm surprised that the Reds are letting him go, I have to say.

Don't get me wrong, that amount of money for a lad who has only played 10 senior games for the club is obviously incredible business.

But still, Doak has the potential to be a very, very good player, and you'd think that Slot would want him to grow at Anfield.

It seems he is off to the Cherries, though.

Well, this must feel weird for Milos Kerkez.

Only three months ago, teh Hungarian was donning the black and red stripes of Bournemouth week in, week out.

Now, in his first Premier League appearance for his new club Liverpool, he has to face his old friends.

Obviously, he knew he had to do it at some point, but straight away? Yikes.

I'm sure it won't stop him snapping into tackles, mind. He just loves it too much.

Gary Neville, former Manchester United defender, on Sky Sports:

Milos Kerkez, Liverpool defender, speaking to Sky Sports:

Arne Slot, Liverpool boss, speaking to Sky Sports:

On defensive troubles:

On his squad coping with Jota's death:

This stat has stunned me, I can't lie.

When I think of Bournemouth's 2024-25 campaign, I think about how brilliant it was, don't you?

Sure, they had a slight dip in former in the back half of the season, but even then they finished ninth.

But it seems it was more than a dip...

Bournemouth won 2-0 against Leicester in their final game of 2024-25, but haven’t won consecutive Premier League matches since January.

Can they break that eight-month run at Anfield?

If they do, that really would be a turn-up for the books.

Freddy Adu, former boy wonder, speaking to Social Casino:

Do you want to know who I am hopeful of seeing tonight?

Young Rio Ngumoha.

I honestly still can't get over the fact that the lad is just 16 years old, like, that is silly. He plays like a man in his late 20s.

Last time he was here at Anfield, he buried the ball into teh corner of teh net at the Kop after just two minutes, but today he will have to start the night on the bench.

Hopefully, he gets a run out at some point.

Oh, you're too kind to me Lewis :)

What a beautiful mural this is.

Diogo Jota has been immortalised as Liverpool's number 20, with the club retiring his shirt number following his death - a classy move.

And now 'Forever 20' has been painted on a house near Anfield, with fans writing messages of love to the late striker.

Incredibly moving.

This is going to be a night filled with emotion for Liverpool fans, no matter what happens.

This is the first Premier League game at Anfield since the death of Diogo Jota last month.

Time may be moving on, but he will never be forgotten.

I have seen plenty of 'Diogo J. 20' Liverpool shirts kicking about Anfield, and many fans are paying their respects outside of the ground.

I'm just hopeful that the minute's silence isn't ruined today.

If I were a Liverpool fan, I would be rather confident right now.

Not just because of the players that they have in their line-up, who are frankly ridiculously good, but because history is on their side heading into this game.

Liverpool haven’t lost their opening league game in any of the last 12 seasons (W9 D3), since a 3-0 loss at West Brom in 2012-13. It’s the longest current run without defeat on MD1 of any Premier League side.

Also, in 33 previous Premier League campaigns, the reigning champions have lost their opening match of the season on just three occasions.

So yeah, all reasons to be positive for the Reds. Or have I just done a classic Harry move and jinxed them?

I guess we will have to wait and see.

Better late than never, eh?

Bournemouth have finally released their team news, and there is one name on it we have to talk about: Bafode Diakite.

The £34m signing makes his debut in a very different-looking Bournemouth backline.

Djordje Petrovic also makes his first competitive start in goal.

Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, on Sky Sports:

Wow, that's a lot of games.

I somehow forgot just how long Alisson has been at Liverpool, but well, I have just been reminded that it's a very long time.

Tonight he is set to make his 300th appearance in between teh sticks for the Reds. For somebody who seems to get injured a lot for a goalkeeper, that's not bad going for seven years of service.

Can he mark it with a clean sheet?

Right, we have to talk about this lad.

We all know that Liverpool have been busy boys in this transfer window, but somehow they are still dipping deeper into their pockets.

And no, they haven't signed Alexander Isak.

However, they have signed 18-year-old centre-half Giovanni Leoni from Parma for an initial £26m.

Everybody that I have spoken to who knows about this kid has called him a baller. So yep, a very good deal, it seems.

As you can see, he isn't eligible to play as of today, but he should be back for their game with Newcastle next weekend.

Jeeeez, what a team that is.

Arne Slot has made just one change from the team that lost teh Community Shield last week, with Alexis Mac Allister replacing Curtis Jones.

We are all in for a treat this evening as Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike will be blessing our screens again. Exciting.

The new look Reds on point.

When the team news comes out in a couple of minute's you will notice on big absentee from Liverpool's line-up.

Ryan Gravenberch is not available.

Why is that? Well, in teh final game of last season against Crystal Palace, he was a silly billy and only went and got himself sent off.

Suspensions carry over even if it's the last game of the season, so he is not allowed to play for the Reds.

A big blow in midfield.

Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth boss, speaking on Thursday:

Bournemouth have the potential to cause chaos tonight.

I have spoken to a silly amount of people about this game, and I don't think a single one has given Bournemouth a sniff of a point.

I know Liverpool are the champs, but come on, the Cherries are no slouch.

That being said, obviously their backline has been decimated, with Milos Kerkez one of the many to depart - he will no doubt be playing against them today.

But they still have some top players, and more importantly, Andoni Iraola is still at the wheel.

Can they make this an awkward start for Liverpool?

Arne Slot, Liverpool head coach, speaking on Thursday:

On Bournemouth:

Liverpool are back, but they look a little different.

The team that lifted the Premier League title three months ago has had a complete overhaul; many have left, and many have joined. This is truly Arne Slot's Liverpool now.

It's weird because you normally wouldn't rip apart a title-winning team, and I have heard plenty of rival fans raise doubts over whether the new-look Reds will gel.

They weren't fantastic against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield last week, sure, but boy were their new signings on fire during spells. Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, phoar, they did something to me that day that I can't explain.

I, for one, am ridiculously excited to see them out on the turf again.

This is how it should be, the champions raising teh curtain on the new season.

How will they fare?

Ready, get set, go!

The single greatest day of the footballing calendar is here, the opening day of the Premier League season. OK, OK, that may be going a step too far, but I just can't contain my excitement.

Don't get me wrong, I love pre-season, but come on... it doesn't even scratch the itch that the absence of the top flight gives you.

Well, now it's back, and it's back with a bang.

Premier League champions Liverpool get things started as they start their title defence against Bournemouth at Anfield on this fine Friday evening.

We got a glimpse of what Arne Slot's new-look Reds were about in the Community Shield last week, but now it's time for them to put their money where their mouth is.

Now, sit back, relax, get yourself an ice-cold beverage of some sort, maybe even a cheeky snack, and let's get what will be a rollercoaster of a season underway.

It's lights out, and away we go.