Follow live coverage as Liverpool face AFC Bournemouth today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Liverpool FC 4 - 2 AFC Bournemouth
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
22:03Wow, the Premier League is back. Champions Liverpool seemed to have thrown away an opening-day win, squandering a two-goal lead after a fine fightback from Bournemouth. It ends 4-2 to Slot’s side at Anfield, however, after late drama powered by Chiesa and Salah. Ekitike opened the scoring eight minutes before half-time with his first league goal for the club on his debut, before teeing up Gakpo shortly after the interval to double the home side’s lead. Semenyo clearly had taken no notice of the script, however, with his double after the hour dragging Iraola’s side level. Slot responded by surprisingly removing debutant Wirtz for Chiesa, who popped up as the 88th-minute hero with his first Premier League goal for Liverpool. Salah was not done there, though, continuing his fine record on the first match day in this competition with a stoppage-time strike before paying tribute to the late Diogo Jota. Slot will feel it was a deserved victory, having watched his side accumulate 2.15 expected goals (xG) to Bournemouth’s 1.63. Liverpool will have to wait until August 25 for their next outing in a visit to Newcastle United, while Bournemouth host Wolves in eight days’ time. That is all we have time for here, so it’s goodbye for now – until next time!
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:59FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 4-2 BOURNEMOUTH
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:59Salah has now scored 12 goals in 12 appearances in the Premier League against Bournemouth. He has also scored more goals (10) and registered more goal involvements (15) on the opening weekend of a Premier League campaign than any other player.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:56Assist Wataru Endo
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:55Goal Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:54Should this game finish 3-2, Chiesa's strike will be the latest winning goal scored by Liverpool in their opening game of a Premier League campaign (87:46).
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:54Konate clears Bournemouth's first corner before Kroupi wins another on the left flank. Chiesa's name echoes around Anfield as the home supporters look to get their side over the line.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:52Substitution Tyler Adams Eli Kroupi
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:51Substitution Adam Smith James Hill
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:49GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLL! SLOT’S CHANGES PAY OFF AS CHIESA SENDS LIVERPOOL BACK INTO THE LEAD LATE ON!
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:49A penny for Slot's thoughts? His side were cruising to start their title defence, on what was an emotional occasion after the tribute to Diogo Jota. They are now scraping around for a late winner at home to Bournemouth, who lost three of their four first-choice defenders in the transfer window. One thing is for certain: the drama of the Premier League is back.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:45Some may question Slot's decision to remove Wirtz with Liverpool now chasing a late winner. The Germany international created a team-leading three chances (level with Gakpo), and also made the most final-third entries (11) of any Liverpool player.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:45Substitution David Brooks Ben Winterburn
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:42Semenyo is also the first visiting player to score a brace at Anfield in the Premier League since September 2022 (Leandro Trossard's hat-trick for Brighton). What a time to deliver for his side!
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:42Substitution Florian Wirtz Federico Chiesa
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:42This is not what the champions expected. Scenes of jubilation after Gakpo's goal are now replaced by a quiet lull as Anfield expectantly waits on Liverpool to respond. That response is yet to come, however, after a thumping comeback from Bournemouth.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:42Yellow Card Francisco Evanilson de Lima Barbosa
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:40Semenyo has now scored three goals in five appearances in the Premier League against Liverpool. Slot's side may be sick of the sight of him, but the Bournemouth supporters will not care as they toast their comeback hero.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:38Assist Hamed Traoré
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:37Goal Antoine Semenyo
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:37Van Dijk has made 12 clearances; eight of which have been headed clearances. These are both already his most in a single Premier League appearance at Anfield for Liverpool, who are up against it with a narrow 2-1 lead.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:35Slot has altered things once again with those changes, as Gomez immediately goes to fill in at right-back. That introduction will allow Endo to slot into his preferred midfield position, alongside fellow substitute Jones.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:34Substitution Alex Scott Hamed Traoré
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:33Brooks and Tavernier combine but the former can't quite poke at Alisson, as Bournemouth supporters grow louder in their backing for the away side. Konate and Van Dijk are having to do some serious work to keep the visitors at bay.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:32Substitution Alexis Mac Allister Curtis Jones
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:32Substitution Hugo Ekitiké Joe Gomez
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:32Liverpool's backs are against the wall as Van Dijk is forced to clear behind for a corner. They survive the set-piece before, down the other end, Gakpo cuts inside and curls tamely at Petrovic.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:29Wirtz overlaps Salah but his attempted lofted delivery is weak and straight into Petrovic's hands. There has definitely not been any change in pace from Liverpool since Bournemouth's goal, but they must be wary on the flanks now with the visitors looking to exploit Robertson and Endo.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:28Semenyo is now Bournemouth's fourth-highest goalscorer in the Premier League (21 goals), trailing only Josh King (48), Callum Wilson (41) and Dominic Solanke (28). Can he go and grab another at Anfield?
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:28Szoboszlai looks to get his side back up the pitch as his cross deflects behind off Senesi for a corner. Anfield has quietened slightly as Liverpool look to respond following Semenyo's counter-attacking finish.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:26WIDE! Szoboszlai darts into space before ignoring Salah and playing to Wirtz, who whips just wide of the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area. Salah then sees a pass cut out soon after, but hold on... Bournemouth could be back in it!
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:25Assist David Brooks
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:24Goal Antoine Semenyo
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:24Midfielder Endo has, indeed, slotted in at right-back. Conor Bradley remains out injured, so perhaps this is Slot's solution to cover Frimpong while his other options remain unavailable.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:21Substitution Milos Kerkez Andy Robertson
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:20Substitution Jeremie Frimpong Wataru Endo
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:20Ekitike is also only the second player to both score and assist a goal on his Premier League debut for Liverpool, after Darwin Nunez against Fulham in August 2022. It has been quite the start for Liverpool's new talisman.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:20With that earlier goal, Gakpo has now scored or assisted in 10 consecutive Premier League starts at Anfield, becoming only the second Liverpool player to achieve such a streak (after Salah, on three separate occasions – 16 in 2023, 12 in 2025 and 10 in 2022).
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:18Truffert leaves a late tackle on Mac Allister, who doesn't seem too bothered by that piece of roughness from Bournemouth's new full-back. Another foul follows as Smith bundles over Gakpo, with the away side seemingly reluctant to let Liverpool play at their own high-octane speed.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:16Liverpool have not 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, and is looking like extending further here.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:16Salah and Smith are going at one another inside the six-yard box before Wirtz's corner is cleared out to Frimpong, whose attempted shot is blocked. Brief appeals for handball from he home crowd slowly fade back into support for their champions.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:14GREAT SAVE! Liverpool are threatening to run riot now. Mac Allister takes another Wirtz offload before finding space and firing towards the top-left corner from outside the area. Petrovic is forced into a full-stretch stop to parry over the crossbar.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:13Salah curls a wonderful delivery with the outside of his right boot but Petrovic parries away in front of numerous Liverpool attackers. Scott then hacks down Gakpo, which the home crowd aren't too happy with.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:10Assist Hugo Ekitiké
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:09Goal Cody Gakpo
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:09A delightful Ekitike flick releases Wirtz, whose attempted throughball is eventually sliced behind by Bournemouth's defence. Wirtz delivers from the left but Ekitike can only bundle over with an unconvincing header that bounces down onto his shoulder.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:08Liverpool have not lost any of their last 155 Premier League games at Anfield in which they have led at half-time (W141 D14), with Arsenal in December 2009 the last team to come back and win after trailing at the break (2-1). It could be a tough task for Iraola's side.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
21:07We are back under way at Anfield as Bournemouth get the ball rolling again!
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:55Iraola may be encouraged by the ending to the first half, where Bournemouth again ramped up the pressure. He would be less pleased to know that the visitors now only have a 3.7% chance of victory, however, according to Opta's live predictor. Liverpool are a confident 84.1% in the same data-led model to claim all three points, while an unlikely draw came in at 12.3%. Slot will surely be asking for more from his players at half-time, though, with the champions hardly blowing away their opponents in this opener.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:54Champions Liverpool lead 1-0 in their Premier League opener against Bournemouth at Anfield, thanks to debutant Ekitike’s first goal for the club. The forward was perhaps fortunate for a deflection off Senesi in the build-up, but finished in real style to announce himself to the home crowd. At the other end, however, Bournemouth passed up two great opportunities to open the scoring through either Semenyo or Tavernier. That leaves Iraola’s side with an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.76 to Liverpool’s 1.25 after what was an enticing first half of the new 2025-26 season.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:51HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:51Salah breaks down the other end but Truffert covers well before Bournemouth counter and Evanilson smashes wide. That is a breathless finish to an entertaining first half.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:51Tavernier is the man to take the free-kick, but drills a poor effort straight into the wall.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:49Mac Allister throws his head into the air after slicing down Scott in a promising position for Bournemouth's free-kick. This may be the last test for Alisson before the interval.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:48Petrovic races out and launches clear as the fourth official indicates there will be a minimum of three additional minutes to end the first half.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:47Adams is caught offside from Bournemouth's set-piece, which relieves any pressure on the home side. Iraola will surely have to change something in the next half if the visitors are to escape with anything from Anfield.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:44Salah takes too long in his attempt to free Frimpong, allowing Bournemouth to block near the halfway line. Slot would love a second goal to give his side a cushion heading into the second half.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:44Yellow Card Milos Kerkez
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:42Aged 23 years and 56 days, Ekitike is the youngest player to score on his first Premier League start for Liverpool since Victor Moses against Swansea in September 2013 (22y 278d). What a way to introduce yourself on the first day of the season for the champions!
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:42ANOTHER OPENING! Ekitike clearly wants more. Gakpo curls a delicate delivery from the left onto the head of Ekitike, who stoops behind himself before heading over the target. The new Liverpool forward's name rings round Anfield, regardless of that miss.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:39Assist Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:38Goal Hugo Ekitiké
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:38CHANCE! Smith bursts down the right on the overlap, making it to the byline before pulling back towards the penalty spot. Brooks leaves it but Tavernier appears surprised as he scuffs a right-footed effort straight at Alisson. That was a huge opening for Bournemouth, who have had the best two chances so far.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:37A loose Wirtz pass rushes Van Dijk into a long clearance. Kerkez then tries to thread through for Ekitike, but as has been the case all half, Bournemouth stand firm to clear their lines.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:35Semenyo and Smith appeal their innocence as Gakpo wins a cheap free-kick deep inside his own half near the touchline. Tackles are flying in from all angles, which can only mean one thing: the Premier League is back!
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:34ON TARGET! Wirtz delivers from the right-hand side, curling towards the penalty spot. Van Dijk leaps the highest but nods straight into the hands of Petrovic for a simple save.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:34Captains Smith and Van Dijk are now called over by referee Taylor, who is slowly making his way back onto the pitch. The match official taps Semenyo on the back on his way over to the corner, before play gets back under way.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:33Referee Anthony Taylor wanders over to the touchline, seemingly discussing one thing or another with Slot and Iraola. The fourth official is also involved, as well as one of the assistant referees, though it is not immediately clear why there is a stoppage.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:31Frimpong does now get the chance to get forward, but his cross is blocked by Diakite as Ekitike looks to meet the delivery at the near post. Liverpool settle for a corner on the right-hand side instead.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:30Frimpong encourages a shoulder-to-shoulder tussle with Brooks, who fells Liverpool's new signing from behind. The former Bayer Leverkusen defender has dominated the battle on that flank so far, though he has not had too much of a chance to get forward at the other end.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:28Semenyo is not backing down. It takes a couple of Liverpool players to stop him, with Mac Allister eventually slicing down the Bournemouth forward after Kerkez missed a similar attempt. There's clearly no love lost between the two former team-mates, who are up against each other on the same wing.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:27Ekitike is far too obvious with a needless push from behind on fellow debutant Diakite, who wins a free-kick inside his own area. That will give the away side another chance to breathe in what is still a cauldron of noise at Anfield.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:25Brooks was booked after just 14 minutes for wasting time; the second-earliest such caution in the Premier League in 2025 (after Will Smallbone against Bournemouth in February, 10th minute). Iraola's team would love a point here, but it seems slightly early to start with those tactics!
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:25The 20th-minute mark brings a rapturous applause from the home support, who are again on their feet in memory of their beloved number 20, Diogo Jota. Play is almost of second importance to the supporters through this minute, as Anfield bounces in unison to chant their former forward's name.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:23Iraola will be pleased his side are still level after an entertaining opening, though he needs the likes of Adams and Scott to get in possession more. At the moment, Bournemouth are just inviting Liverpool onto them, and as most sides found out last season, that can rarely be a smart plan.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:21Slot is furious on the touchline, remonstrating over a decision in front of him. The Liverpool manager has already asked for his players to be more 'streetwise' this season, and he is clearly leading the charge after berating the officials.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:20Salah has scored more goals (nine) and registered more goal involvements (14) on the opening weekend of a Premier League campaign than any other player. Will that run continue here?
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:18The VAR checks Senesi's intervention and deems that the centre-back has done no wrong, controlling with his body before the ball hits his hand unintentionally. That may be a reprieve for Bournemouth.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:16The Liverpool players are incensed as they feel Senesi should be dismissed. Ekitike thinks he has the chance to break in behind but the defender blocks on the halfway line, with the home side wanting handball.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:16Yellow Card David Brooks
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:14Smith has to slide in as Salah looks to free Gakpo, conceding a corner down the left-hand side. The energetic Wirtz takes set-piece duties, whipping towards the near post, where Petrovic claims after a looping headed deflection.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:13A lapse in concentration from Konate affords the away side a corner, though that comes to nothing before Smith forces another set-piece after Van Dijk's covering interception. Brooks swings in from the right flank onto the head of Evanilson, but his flick-on is cleared before it can test Alisson.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:10Bournemouth have taken just one point from 24 available away against Liverpool in the Premier League (W0 D1 L7), losing their last six visits to Anfield by an aggregate score of 23-2. They will hope to change that record here, but it will be a tough task against the reigning champions.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:09CLOSE! The chances are flowing at Anfield and the visitors should maybe be ahead. Truffert paces down the left-hand side before his whipped delivery finds Semenyo, who carves over from close range with a lunging, first-time effort. Kerkez did just enough against his former team-mate there.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:09CHANCE! Van Dijk should do better. Salah loops in a cross from the right flank, and with the centre-back unmarked, he only manages to loop a tame header over the crossbar. That will go down as a missed opportunity.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:07SO CLOSE! Ekitike comes deep and receives possession before playing to his right. Salah cuts in, ignoring the overlap from Frimpong, before his delightful left-footed curler is tipped over in expert fashion by the stretching Petrovic.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:05Gakpo hovers on the left before offloading to Ekitike, who drags a long-range effort straight at Petrovic. That is a strong sign of intent from Liverpool's new striker.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:05The noise is deafening inside Anfield as Jota's name continues to echo around the stadium. Liverpool soon settle into possession amid the chorus of their home support, who will hope to start their title defence with a win.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
20:01After that poignant remembrance in honour of Diogo Jota, whose name is still ringing around Anfield, kick-off is upon us. The Premier League is back for the 2025-26 season as this opening game gets under way!
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:57Liverpool now pay tribute to Diogo Jota, who died aged 28 last month in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva. The Anfield crowd are unveiling a commemorative mosaic in his honour, before a moment to remember the Reds’ forward. The Liverpool players are also displaying their own tribute with a 'Forever 20' emblem printed on their shirts and stadium jackets, which will remain in place all campaign.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:57Iraola offers debuts to all three signings at the back, with goalkeeper Petrovic, left-back Truffert and centre-back Diakite all part of Bournemouth’s new-look defence. A more familiar face in Evanilson leads the line after an impressive maiden term in England, while Semenyo, Brooks and Tavernier operate in behind the striker. Dango Ouattara is not in the squad ahead of his impending move to fellow Premier League side Brentford.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:47Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have both left the club, though Slot’s attacking options have hardly diminished after Liverpool’s significant outlay on forward-minded players in the transfer window. Wirtz and Ekitike both start up top, with Frimpong and Kerkez on either flank at full-back as the quartet all make their debuts. Mamardashvili is also on the bench, while Gakpo gets the nod on the opposite flank to talisman Salah.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:47SUBSTITUTES: Julian Araujo, Julio Soler, Eli Kroupi, James Hill, Hamed Traore, Philip Billing, Will Dennis, Ben Winterburn, Remy Rees-Dottin.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:47BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Djordje Petrovic; Adam Smith, Marcos Senesi, Bafode Diakite, Adrien Truffert; Alex Scott, Tyler Adams; Antoine Semenyo, Marcus Tavernier, David Brooks; Evanilson.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:47SUBSTITUTES: Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Andy Robertson, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:47LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker; Jeremie Frimpong, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo; Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:30Andoni Iraola’s side finished ninth in the Premier League last season, matching their best-ever position in the competition. Their success has come at a cost, however, with their defensive line raided by other clubs in lucrative transfer deals. Illia Zabarnyi has since joined Paris Saint-Germain, Dean Huijsen has moved to Real Madrid, loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga has headed to Arsenal, and – of course – Kerkez will be playing in Liverpool colours at Anfield. Bafode Diakite and Adrien Truffert have come the other way to fill gaps in defence, while Djordje Petrovic will become Iraola’s number-one goalkeeper. Can those new signings adapt quickly at the test of the league champions?
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:30Arne Slot guided Liverpool convincingly to the title in his first term on the red side of Merseyside last season. His title-winning squad has since been boosted by the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, as well as Jeremie Frimpong. Milos Kerkez also signed from visitors Bournemouth, who have seen a fair few exits this transfer window.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
19:30Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of the Premier League opener between defending champions Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield.
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth
18:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
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