Liverpool Looks Promising to Open the 2025/2026 Season

Following a disappointing penalty shootout defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield game, Liverpool has opened the new Premier League season with a decisive, high scoring victory at home against Bournemouth. The 4-2 win at Anfield in front of the home crowd was the perfect opener for the defending champions of England. Hugo Ektike and Cody Gakpo made it 2-0, only for Antoine Semenyo’s brace in the second half to make it level 2-2. 

Federico Chiesa made it 3-2 at the death, with the biggest star of the team, Mo Salah, making it 4-2 in stoppage time. The opening game had everything, from early dominance to late drama. If it is anything to go by, it is going to be an exciting and hopefully successful season. With strong showings and 6 points in the following two matches, the title defense will have started in earnest. 

A Clash with Newcastle

On Monday, August 25, Liverpool is traveling to Newcastle to play their first away game of the new campaign. The opponent is not an easy prey to beat in their home territory. Newcastle finished 5th in 2024/2025 and will play Champions League football this year alongside Liverpool, meaning they have high hopes and are ready for top tier football. Newcastle has respectable odds of 3.40 to win the game at home, with the visiting Liverpool getting 2.04 to take the away game. Salah is the most likely to score with 5.40, followed by Hugo Ektike with 6.60 and Florian Wirtz with 8.00. Tune into the game and place some bets as the best crypto casino bonuses await you. 

This game also has some drama surrounding it, with Newcastle’s young star Alexander Isak discontent at the club, and the Anfield side his preferred destination. The Swedish forward wants to join Liverpool, but Newcastle does not want to sell him and has turned down the £110 million offer this summer. They do not have a replacement ready and are in no rush to make the deal. So far, the 21 year old has played in 86 games for Newcastle since 2022 and scored 54 goals. He will have to focus on football and play against his dream club tomorrow. Who knows? Maybe his performance persuades the clubs to end the talks, or makes one of the sides even more reluctant/eager to make the deal. 

The Arsenal Derby Looms Closer 

The Gunners have had the misfortune of finishing second for three straight seasons. Since 2022/2023, they have looked at the team in front of them to lift the trophy. It was Manchester City twice and then Liverpool last season. Now, in the new campaign of 2025/2026, they have a chance to disrupt Liverpool’s title defense early on. A derby like this in the opening days of the season can have huge implications down the line. It is one of the biggest games for both teams, and it can potentially even influence the title hopes of both. Being played at Anfield, the defending champions have a huge advantage, but Arsenal hardly without their a chance. 

According to the bookies, the home team will be the favorite on Sunday, August 31, with 2.01 odds to take the match. The visiting Gunners are at 3.70, which could be a good chance for the skeptics to take advantage of the higher odds. Arsenal looked great against Manchester United in the first game, a 1-0 win at Old Trafford, and then they crushed Leeds United 5-0 at the Emirates. New top signing, Viktor Gyokeres, scored a brace and looks great for the team. It is going to be a great duel of title hopefuls next weekend. Look for Salah and Gyokeres to each score in what will surely be a hard fought game. 

Still, their star winger, Bukayo Saka, is in a race against time with an injury. He was forced off in the first half of the last game. The Englishman was visibly shaken and showed discomfort with the left hamstring. If it is a strain, even a grade 1 strain means 2 to 4 weeks of recovery. If he is a no go, Mikel Arteta will have his hands full with filling the gap, as nobody can replicate what Saka brings to the pitch with his combination of finesse and offense. 

Who Gets Rodrygo?

Liverpool and Arsenal are seemingly in a race to sign the Real Madrid star forward, 24 year old Rodrygo. The Brazilian looks to be set to leave Los Blancos, the team he called home since 2019. At the Bernabeu, he scored 68 goals in 270 appearances and won plenty of trophies. Xavi Alonso keeps saying nothing is going on and that Rodrygo is part of his plans, but his agent has scheduled meetings with both Liverpool and Arsenal. 

While he is an enticing target for the title contenders, it does seem that Isak remains the focus for top clubs in England, meaning both Liverpool and Arsenal are monitoring him closely. Madrid expects some €100 million for Rodrygo, which may be more than an English side is willing to put forward, considering his limited playing time as of late. He only played 93 minutes across six Club World Cup matches, and remained on the bench in Madrid’s opening LaLiga match against Osasuna.