The Premier League returns on Friday night as champions Liverpool host Bournemouth at Anfield in their season opener.

Arne Slot’s side will be aiming to extend an impressive record in this fixture, having won their last six home meetings with the Cherries by an aggregate score of 23-2.

The Reds have also won 11 of their last 12 league clashes against Bournemouth and have gone 12 years without defeat on opening day.

Liverpool’s dominance on opening weekends is matched by history, with only one defeat in 19 season starts as reigning champions, dating back to 1923/24.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last seven opening day games but face a daunting task with Justin Kluivert, Ryan Christie, Lewis Cook, Luis Sinisterra and Enes Unal all unavailable.

Mohamed Salah will be a major threat, boasting 11 goals against Bournemouth, the most by any player against them in the Premier League and nine goals in season openers, more than any other player in the competition’s history.

New signing Florian Wirtz could make his league debut, aiming to join Jurgen Klinsmann and Ilkay Gundogan as the only Germans to score on the EPL’s opening day.

The creative midfielder’s link-up with Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike offers Liverpool a wealth of attacking options.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola will rely on a bold, high-tempo approach to trouble the champions, but with Liverpool’s quality and depth, anything other than a home win would be a major upset.