Liverpool look to collect their 13th straight opening match win on Friday against the Cherries as they begin their EPL title defence.
Bournemouth were tough opposition last season, and while the Reds handed them their biggest defeat — a 3-0 away win last September — the scoreline paper’s over the challenge of the game itself: even when losing, they never seem to quit, they never make it easy. Though Liverpool did the double on Bournemouth, the Cherries themselves did the double over Arsenal, and beat the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle (and the last two were beaten away). They did finish 9th, but they also had a significant injury crisis (hard to remember as it often showed up most when the televised match showed the collection of injured players in the stands watching their side dispatch their opposition). The injury crisis alongside their run to the FA Cup quarter-finals stage might explain some dips in form (or, at least, results).
This is not the Bournemouth of last season, however. While there has been a level of panic around Liverpool’s defensive cohesiveness following the Community Shield (and it’s worth noting that some of the pre-season goals conceded weren’t ideal, either), it’s safe to say that Bournemouth is in a potentially worse position. If the Cherries had a strong 2024/24 — their final position as 9th on the table belies how hard they were to play against — this showing meant a lot of interest from other clubs for key Bournemouth players.
As long-rumored and eventually expected, Liverpool landed Milos Kerkez, who managed the most minutes for Bournemouth last season in all competitions (3,560), and Dean Huijsen’s domineering performances at center back alongside his £50 million release clause meant he would certainly leave come summer, and Real Madrid came calling. It’s worth noting, too, that goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was on loan, and thus will also not be at the club for the 2025/26 season. Though both defenders and goalkeeper were crucial for Andoni Iraola’s side, they left early in the summer and their departures were expected; as such, the club could prepare for the loss. Unfortunately for the Cherries, though, defender Illia Zabarnyi departed for PSG this week, and the last minute move means it’s harder for the club to prepare for his absence. As it stands, Bournemouth — who tend to build their attack from deep — have lost four of their back five from last season.
