The 2025-26 Premier League season begins Friday with defending champion Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at Anfield. Here's what to know heading into the new campaign in the world's most popular soccer league: Liverpool will attempt to retain the top-flight title for the first time since the mid-1980s to the backdrop of a tragedy.

When Jürgen Klopp announced his shock departure from Anfield in January 2024, the general consensus was that Liverpool would be in for a period of transition. In came a new head coach in Arne Slot,

While nobody had a more impressive campaign than Liverpool last year, Bournemouth could also feel proud of what they accomplished in 2024-25. The Cherries had their best-ever finish in the Premier League (ninth), and you could argue they deserved even better than that.