Bournemouth

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Former midfielder Neil Maddison, who summarises for BBC Tees, says new arrival Ben Doak is a player who will get Bournemouth fans off their seats.

He told BBC Radio Solent: "You've got a winger that is direct, whoever he is playing against he is going to get at them and more than ever he will get past them and deliver balls into the box. He is very quick - blistering pace.

"He normally goes on the outside and I think at times in the Premier League you might get found out that way but for me, he is a player who doesn't care who he is playing against because he is going to get at you.

"I always thought that he wouldn't get into Liverpool's side because I would say technically he has still got a lot to learn in that department.

"In terms of his pace, his aggression - it's all there. It's just that technical ability where you get past the man and you're looking for a decent ball.

"He can be hit and miss at times but he just frightens defenders and therefore he pushes defences back and it allows that midfield to get the ball a little bit more.

"I guarantee you'll be off your seats when he's on the ball because he is just so direct and he loves getting into full-backs, taking them on, he loves creating opportunities and for us in the Championship he was at a different level altogether."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Sam Davis
Fan writer

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The Premier League is back and while many clubs up and down the country are excited to see their new stars, Bournemouth fans are just delighted they have seemingly managed to keep hold of one of their own.

After an impressive campaign last time out for the Cherries, Antoine Semenyo was a man hotly tipped to move on to "bigger" things, but the club secured a contract extension and after one single gameweek, it already feels like a master-stroke on Bournemouth's part.

Semenyo grabbed a brace at Anfield in what was a valiant display from the side, despite defeat. Equally, it was a mightily majestic performance from the winger.

He has been a hit on the south coast ever since he joined from Bristol City back in January 2023, but I don't think anyone quite saw his ceiling being quite as high as it currently seems.

He has often been utilised as a central striker both at his previous clubs and also for his Ghanaian national team, but it's as a winger that Antoine has really started to glow up the Premier League. It was current Cherries coach Andoni Iraola who started using Semenyo from out wide, and both his electric pace and relentless power has been a joy to watch from the offset.

He often creates and scores goals, and he turns full backs inside out and bullies them on a regular basis. So it certainly feels like if Semenyo can remain fit and consistent, then he could be the catalyst yet again for another remarkable Bournemouth season.

Watch this space! This boy is remarkable.

Find more from Sam Davis at Back of the Net, external

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport journalist

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Ben Doak was regularly terrorising opposition full-backs in the Championship with his pace and direct style before a thigh injury ended his 2024-25 season prematurely in late January.

Doak, who made his senior Scotland debut last September, provided three goals and seven assists in 21 starts for Middlesbrough.

Among players to have featured in at least 20 Championship games last season, the 19-year-old ranked in the top six per 90 minutes for assists, chances created and touches in the opposition penalty area.

More on what we learned from the Premier League opening weekend

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Ben Doak says Bournemouth provide "the perfect fit" for him after completing his move from Liverpool.

The 19-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the Cherries and said: "I'm buzzing to be here. I feel like it's the right time for me and it's a great opportunity to play regular football at the highest level. It feels like the perfect fit.

"The team play very nice football. It's fast and it really suits my game, so I felt like I couldn't say no to the chance to play here."

Tiago Pinto, the club's head of football operations, added: "Ben is an exciting young talent who has shown his quality at the highest level despite his age.

"He brings pace and energy that will fit our model well and we're thoroughly looking forward to helping him fulfil his potential at AFC Bournemouth.

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We asked for your views on the expected arrival of winger Ben Doak from Liverpool and where you see him fitting in.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: The Cherries are in desperate shortage of strikers so this must be a definite plus. Defence looking a bit shaky settling in but I feel sure they will get it together soon.

Dominik: A lot of money for an unproven player in the Premier League. Poor stats for Championship season. I think there are better options

Charles: Doak is clearly a huge talent and showed glimpses of real quality last season on loan at Middlesbrough. He is predominantly a right winger but could possibly operate on the left flank. There are a few worries about injury issues but hopefully they can be carefully managed at the club's new world class performance centre. I don't think he is an automatic starter but he will still get ample opportunity to impress. The cherries now need another high quality centre-half and a striker.

Paul: Paying far too much for a very untested player, who hardly lit the Championship up at all last year. This is silly business and smacks of other previous overspending we've done from Liverpool. Really can't make head nor tail of this. Especially when you'll see Hamed Traore and Philip Billing leave for buttons soon.

Mike: Happy with that. Stay injury free and he's a gem.

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Bournemouth are close to securing the services of Liverpool winger Ben Doak for an initial £20m plus £5m in add-ons.

Happy with the expected arrival? Where do you see him fitting in to your attack? And what else do the Cherries still need in the transfer market?

Get in touch with your views here

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Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has spoken to BBC Radio Solent about his recovery from his fractured jaw and what it was like playing in a full and half mask.

Scott, who was caught by the elbow of Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings in May, went on to be an influential player for Englands Under-21s at the victorious European Championship.

"The pain was ridiculous," said Scott. "I tried my best to keep going in the Villa game and managed to get to half-time but I just couldn't breathe properly.

"It was the best thing to come off but I didn't know it was broken until the scans after the game.

"It was completely cracked, so a pretty bad break in the end, and I had surgery two days later.

"They put a disc in to keep it in place, so the week after it was massively swollen. That was probably the toughest part and what the lads were chuckling about the most.

"At that point I did think it was going to be tough for me to be in the Euros squad, or even play another game that season.

"It was brought up that previous players who had done it had worn a mask and that's when I wanted to get it done as quick as possible."

For the Euros, Scott wore a specialised mask that protected his jaw as it continued to heal - but it wasn't the most subtle.

"At first, it was the main joke of everything," Scott added. "England had another mask made for me and then after a few days they just got used to seeing it.

"I saw people bantering me about it online but it had to be done as I had to do it to play in the tournament.

"It was probably too early to play but I was pushing for it. If I hadn't worn a mask it would have been impossible to play.

"It was tough at first, especially the full mask that I wore for the last game of the season because I couldn't really see anything out of it and it was falling all over my face.

"The one England had done really helped, I think if I'd have had the full face one then I would have been terrible at the Euros!"

Scott says he has had another scan on his jaw since returning to Bournemouth for pre-season and "it's pretty much healed now".

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

• Tottenham 3-0 Burnley

• Wolves 0-4 Manchester City

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Ken: Great win but, as is often the case, we made it difficult for ourselves. Ekitike, Salah, Gakpo and Wirtz were excellent - all our defenders had an off day, though. Quality saw us through, but not a top performance yet. Early days and what an exciting prospect for the new season. We badly miss Diogo Jota - may he and his brother rest in peace forever. YNWA.

Geoff: There is some 'bedding in' to be done, and the absence of Ryan Gravenberch was noticeable, but a good home win against a tenacious and well drilled Bournemouth side. Lots to look forward to in the season ahead.

Mark: First game of the season, three points. Team adapting to each other. No worries.

Ben: Yet again, this display showed two things - Liverpool's attacking prowess and their defensive frailties. Being caught on the break for both Bournemouth goals showed the need for a new (and faster) centre-back. Although having Isak would be nice, we don't want to keep relying on our attackers to bail us out every time (plus Ekitike, so far, seems to be showing that Isak may not be needed). If the game has been against the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea or Arsenal it would likely have been a different result. If we don't sign a decent centre-back before the transfer window closes then it will be much harder to defend our title.

Max: I've thought for ages that Chiesa didn't get enough game time, and he will be food for thought over the next few weeks for Slot. Apart from the defending, it was a great game - entertaining, emotional and gripping.

Steve: Disjointed, less energy and far too much exposure in defence. As a life-long supporter, I'm seeing performances that are too much like the barren years. We need urgency, control and that 'get it all together ' approach. Hope we have time.

Bournemouth fans

Kathryn: I was worried beforehand but I thought we played a really high-pressing game. Amazing goals from the wonderful Semenyo against the best team in the world?! Marred by racism which was very upsetting for him. Disgusting and I'm very sorry it happened. Cherries are definitely going to Europe!

Steve: I was there with my son. It felt cruel to lose it so late but we look like a team with the potential to develop and improve.

Paul: Looked at lot better than I thought they would with so many key players going. Unfortunately, defensive errors and deflections prove costly. Everyone had us down to be returned to the Championship but I think we have proved we are more likely to be nearer Champions League.

Lee: Made a good fist of it considering a number of players who would have likely started were out injured. We looked a threat going forward and caused Liverpool problems. Sadly, you can't win a game of football conceding four goals, but I'm very optimistic after seeing that display that the mighty Cherries will have another good season. Atmosphere in Anfield was electric - I was so pleased to have been there in person.

Charl: Excellent performance full of energy and desire to not be beaten. Every player helping each other to contain a formidable opponent. Tactically superb set-up. Clumsy defending cost us but that will come.

Charles: Good start for the Cherries, expected to lose but did enough to be respected. Small details and a bit more luck could have seen a positive result. Semenyo was immense. Hopefully a tighter midfield with Cook and Christie back will see the best of the team. Defence are working hard to gel. It will get better.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Bournemouth were presented with the toughest possible start to their Premier League campaign as they faced Premier League champions Liverpool at their fortress.

And it came after a summer of upheaval, with the defence that performed so well last season ransacked - Dean Huijsen sold to Real Madrid, Illia Zabarnyi to Paris St-Germain and Milos Kerkez in opposition here at Anfield - raising £147m in the process.

For all that, this was an excellent performance from Bournemouth that left them so close to an outstanding point before they fell victim to a typical late Liverpool surge.

And at the heart of it all was the outstanding Antoine Semenyo, who told experienced referee Anthony Taylor about being racially abused by a member of the crowd in the first half and responded with a superb display and two fine goals.

• BBC Radio Solent spoke to Manager Andoni Iraola on Semenyo incident

• Captain Adam Smith: "It's not acceptable anymore"

Bournemouth showed the strength of character and confidence manager Andoni Iraola has instilled in his team and they refused to take a backward step, even pressing for a winner at one stage.

Iraola has replenished his side with left-back Adrien Truffert and central defender Bafode Diakite, signed from Lille for £35m. Talks are also under way to bring in talented Scotland forward Ben Doak from Liverpool.

This, on top of what Bournemouth delivered at Anfield, will give Iraola heart despite this late disappointment.

Did you know?

• Antoine Semenyo has scored 50% of Bournemouth's Premier League goals at Anfield (three of six). Indeed, he was the first visiting player to score more than once at the ground in the league since Leandro Trossard scored a hat-trick for Brighton in October 2022.

• Bournemouth have taken just one point from their nine Premier League games at Anfield (D1 L8), an average of 0.11 per game. Only at Manchester City do they have a poorer average on the road against a side they have visited five+ times in the competition (zero points in eight games).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

Come back to this page on Saturday to find a selection of your replies

Arne Slot has handed out four Premier League debuts as Liverpool begin the defence of the title they lifted in May.

Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike all joined the Reds in the summer window.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Nyoni, Ngumoha.

Andoni Iraola has named his first Bournemouth starting XI of the season with three debutants included.

Djordje Petrovic, Adrien Truffert and Bafode Diakite all make their competitive Cherries debuts.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Truffert, Senesi, Brooks, Scott, Evanilson, Adams, Smith, Tavernier, Diakite, Semenyo.

Subs: Dennis, Araujo, Soler, Kroupi, Hill, Traore, Billing, Winterburn, Rees-Dottin.

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Champions Liverpool kick-off the new Premier League season at Anfield against a Bournemouth side in a transitional period. BBC Sport analyses some of the key themes going into the opener.

"We need time to adapt", said Liverpool boss Arne Slot last weekend after he fielded four new players in their Community Shield defeat by Crystal Palace.

The champions have splashed £265m on summer signings to enhance an already strong squad, with the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz all starting last Sunday.

Despite the loss, the performance was largely positive and Ekitike and Frimpong's goals felt like a sample of things to come. It was the first time that two Liverpool debutants have scored in the same competitive game since Craig Bellamy and Mark Gonzalez both did against Maccabi Haifa in 2006.

Slot was understandably disappointed by his team's false start at Wembley, especially as they twice relinquished the lead, so a return to fortress Anfield for the season opener is welcome.

The Reds lost just one Premier League home game last season – a 1-0 reverse to Nottingham Forest in September – and won 46 of a possible 57 points on their own patch. Two of their four home draws came after they had already clinched a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in May.

'Iraola can at least call upon star striker Evanilson'

A Friday night visit to the champions would probably not be top of Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola's wishlist when the fixtures were announced, particularly as he is without four of his first-choice back five.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, central defenders Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zabarnyi and left-back Milos Kerkez have all left the club for pastures new, with the latter set to line up for Liverpool this week. The Cherries have banked more than £144.5m from those deals – making a £90m profit – but replacing them will not be easy.

Iraola can at least call upon star striker Evanilson who remains at the club after a solid first season. His is also dangerous on the road, with seven of the Brazilian's 10 league goals coming at opposition grounds.

Of players to score 10 or more top-flight goals last term only one netted a higher percentage away from home – his team-mate Justin Kluivert.

Bournemouth can also take confidence from their record on the opening weekend. The south coast side haven't started a league season with a defeat in any of the last seven years, winning three and drawing four.

We will have to see how all of Liverpool's new players settle in, and also, sub-consciously, the effect the sad loss of Diogo Jota will have on their squad - it is very difficult to measure that.

Bournemouth have sold most of their defenders, but I still think they will be fine this season because they are so well-organised under Andoni Iraola.

Liverpool signed one of them, Milos Kerkez, but their boss Arne Slot is still worried about his backline by the sounds of things, because of the goals they have leaked in pre-season.

So, I would expect some goals in this one, especially because Bournemouth are always quite attack-minded.

The Cherries will score at Anfield, but Liverpool will score more.

They have made a few changes to their team but they are the champions and they are at home. They will get over the line, and Mohamed Salah will get off the mark, although I am not sure I am going to get him into my Fantasy Premier League team.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here