Defending the title is very hard. on Friday night Liverpool is facing Bournemouth to start the 2025/26 season. Crystal Palace proved to us at Wembley yesterday that it not going to be a walkover. After Bournemouth Liverpool away to Newcastle and after that home to Arsenal. Very tough start, Referee is yet to be appointed for this game. The 2025/2026 football season will see several changes and new appointments for match officials. Six new referees, Lewis Smith, Farai Hallam, Adam Herczeg, Tom Kirk, Ruebyn Ricardo, and Ben Toner, are joining the PGMO's supplementary list for the Select Group 1, which covers both the Premier League and EFL, according to the Premier League. Additionally, FIFA referees Mel Burgin and Emily Heaslip, along with assistant referees Matt Joyce, David Middleton, and Joseph Karram, will officiate in the EFL and National League. Referees Harrison Blair, Declan Brown, George Laflin, Lewis Sandoe, Matt Scholes, and Gareth Thomas will also be stepping up into roles across the National League and EFL. The season will also see the introduction of a new Puma referee range. Game: Liverpool v Bournemouth Date: Friday 15th August Stadium. Anfield. Time: 2000 TV. Sky Sports Main Event. Andy Dunn's predictions Champions: Liverpool Rest of the top four: Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City Relegated: West Ham, Burnley, Sunderland Surprise package: Tottenham Biggest disappointment: Erling Haaland Best new signing: Florian Wirtz Top goalscorer: Mo Salah Player of the year: Cole Palmer Young Player of the year: Ethan Nwaneri Premier League predictions: Liverpool and Arsenal title race, top four, relegation debated - The Mirror
The season isn't over in one game... But I do think it's important to start strongly. I will be disappointed if we don't get three points. I recognize team still gelling and not all put together yet, but a title challenge should mean 3pts against Bournemouth.
Bournemouth will have a completely different back line and keeper than last year but still a dangerous side going forward. Kluivert Semenyo Evanlison were good value last year. Do wonder how Semenyo will be this year. Was lots and lots of talk of going to lfc, United and spurs but no one seemed to have made a move. Feel Friday night, opening game, Anfield we should have too much with the team also keen to right the poor performance from yesterday. Expect us to look very dangerous going forward but be open to the counter. Prediction 3-1
