Liverpool and Bournemouth open the new Premier League campaign on Friday night, but both clubs will be without some key players. The Reds host the Cherries at Anfield as they begin the defence of their league title.
Arne Slot could be without some key players for the opening fixture of the campaign. Bournemouth could also have some players on the sidelines for their trip to Merseyside.
One player guaranteed to be on the sidelines for Liverpool is Ryan Gravenberch. The midfielder is sidelined through suspension after picking up a red card in the Reds’ final match of last season against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Gravenberch will serve a one-match ban in the Premier League for Liverpool. The ban means that Gravenverch will be available to return for the away trip to face Newcastle United on August 25 at St James’ Park.
Liverpool could also be without Joe Gomezand Conor Bradley, who have both been sidelined with injury. Gomez has returned to training after an Achilles’ injury, while it remains to be seen if Bradley recovers from his injury to face Bournemouth.
For the Cherries, manager Andoni Iraola will also have some injury concerns to deal with at Anfield.
Striker Enes Unal is still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in January, while Lewis Cook is expected to be unavailable after suffering a knee injury during pre-season.
There are also doubts around the fitness of Justin Kluivert, Ryan Christie and Luis Sinisterra, who have all spent time on the sidelines during pre-season with injuries.
Kluivert picked up the injury during the summer while Christie and Sinisterra did not feature at all across pre-season.