Summary

  • Alvarez strike in first half enough to give Man City victory over Newcastle

  • Win means champions City continue 100% start to Premier League season

  • FT: Tottenham 2-0 Man Utd - Sarr and Davies give Spurs first win under boss Postecoglou

  • FT: Fulham 0-3 Brentford - Wissa and Mbeumo (2) score for Bees, Ream sent off for Fulham

  • FT: Liverpool 3-1 Bournemouth - Salah, Diaz and Jota score after Reds went behind, Mac Allister sent off

  • FT: Wolves 1-4 Brighton - Mitoma, Estupinan and March (2) give Albion big win, Nunes sent off for Wolves

  1. Liverpool issue update on Anfield Road standpublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Liverpool v Bournemouth (15:00 BST)

    Anfield redevelopmentImage source, Getty Images

    Liverpool's phased opening of their redeveloped Anfield Road stand can continue this weekend, despite contracted developers Buckingham Group filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators.

    The club have confirmed this will not impact the opening of the lower tier of the stand for the match against Bournemouth on Saturday after Liverpool City Council's building control team issued a safety certificate for its operation.

    In a statement, they added: "We will work with Buckingham Group on the planned phased opening of the remainder of the new stand and will continue to keep supporters updated on arrangements for future games.

    "Our intention is to update all supporters who have a ticket for the Aston Villa match at the earliest opportunity."

    The expanded stand, which was anticipated to be completed during the 2023-24 campaign, will add an additional 7,000 seats to the stadium, taking the overall capacity to 61,000.

  2. Rebuilding on and off the pitchpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Liverpool v Bournemouth (15:00 BST)

    Michael Emons
    BBC Sport at Anfield

    Jordan Henderson muralImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    Jordan Henderson lifted the Premier League trophy in 2020, but has now moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq

    It has been a busy summer for Liverpool with a host of big names leaving as captain Jordan Henderson and fellow midfielder Fabinho both moved to teams in Saudi Arabia, while James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left on free transfers.

    Midfielders Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo have come in, although Jurgen Klopp missed out on two targets as Brighton's Moises Caicedo and Southampton's Romeo Lavia both chose Chelsea over the Reds.

    And transformations continue off the pitch too with today seeing the official opening of the new lower tier in the Anfield Road Stand. However, there is now uncertainty over the rest of the project after contracted developers Buckingham Group filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators earlier this week.

    Work on the £80m redevelopment of the Anfield Road Stand began in September 2021 and the original target was for it to be completed by the start of this season, with mid-October now the planned date. When finished, 7,000 additional seats will have been added to take the stadium's capacity to 61,015.

    Nevertheless, today could still see a record attendance for a Premier League match at Anfield, with 53,373 (against Cardiff on 27 October, 2018) the figure to beat. It won't be a Liverpool league record though as 58,757 were present to see a match against Chelsea in the old Division One on 27 December, 1949.

    Even when the redevelopments are finished, it won't set a club-record attendance as that stands at 61,905 for an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Wolves on 2 February, 1952.

    Anfield Road StandImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    The stadium will hold 61,015 when work on the Anfield Road Stand is completed

  3. Could Rothwell have bagged himself Lerma's old role?published at 14:15 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Liverpool v Bournemouth (15:00 BST)

    Mark Mitchener
    BBC Sport

    Joe Rothwell runs across midfield with the ball.Image source, Getty Images

    Bournemouth emerged with a very creditable draw against West Ham United in their season opener on Saturday – especially given that only four home games ago, they lost the corresponding fixture 4-0 in April, and also given the Cherries’ injury list.

    Adam Smith, Lloyd Kelly, Ryan Fredericks and Marcus Tavernier have been joined in the treatment room by Dango Ouattara, Lewis Cook and new signing Alex Scott – while the move to sign Leeds United'sTyler Adams comes with the caveat that he is also currently injured.

    Adams would seem to be the nearest like-for-like replacement for Jefferson Lerma, which Bournemouth have sought since the Colombian opted to join Crystal Palace when his contract expired in the summer.

    However, Joe Rothwell has already bagged Lerma’s old number eight shirt – and gave an excellent audition against the Hammers in the defensive midfield 'Lerma role' to suggest that he could be an option there.

    By his own admission, Rothwell was not fully fit, and realised after the fifth and final substitution was made in the 75th minute that he would have to stay on for the full 90.

    However, while he was caught in possession for the move which led to West Ham’s goal, he drove the Cherries forward from his deeper role throughout the game, and also hit the crossbar with a long-range effort himself.

    A first Premier League goal still eludes the ex-Blackburn Rovers man, who was named as the sponsors’ man of the match, though debutant full-backs Milos Kerkez and Max Aarons also impressed, as did the revitalised David Brooks.

    A rather unrelenting run of fixtures await Andoni Iraola’s side now – starting at Anfield on Saturday, 357 days after their infamous last visit there.

    Just don’t mention the score…

  4. 'Nothing to cause too much concern'published at 14:13 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Fulham v Brentford (15:00 BST)

    Thomas Frank stands with his arms crossed looking pensive.Image source, Getty Images

    BBC Radio London sports editor Phil Parry on Brentford's attacking options on The Far Post podcast: "Brentford have been strongly linked with Brennan Johnson for a while now. The Ivan Toney conundrum means they haven't got him until January.

    "Thomas Frank said he is impossible to replace, and when they know he's coming back they're probably not going to be able to recruit someone anyway.

    "I think Frank will be frustrated with both goals [in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham]. The first was a set-piece, which they should have defended better, and the second was a failure to clear the line.

    "But there are high hopes for Mikkel Damsgaard, who had a cameo during the game.

    "There's nothing to cause too much of a concern for Brentford, but if they are able to go out and get another player that will give them offensive options, then I think they will."

    Listen to the full discussion from 6'15 on BBC Sounds

    Listen to BBC Radio London commentary on Fulham v Brentford (Saturday, 15:00 BST - FM & DAB), West Ham v Chelsea (Sunday, 16:30 - DAB and via BBC Sport website) and Crystal Palace v Arsenal (Monday, 20:00 - DAB).

  5. 'O'Neil will have changed a lot of supporters' minds already'published at 14:12 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Wolves v Brighton (15:00 BST)

    Gary O'NeilImage source, Getty Images

    Former Wolves striker Don Goodman believes Gary O'Neil has already "changed a lot of supporters' minds". Speaking before Saturday's game against Brighton, he told the Albion Unlimited podcast: "When you lose your manager five days before the season starts, it is turmoil. But, against Manchester United, Wolves looked sharp, quicker and seemed to have the most energy.

    "I can't remember the last time they created that many chances in a game.

    "Fans were slightly underwhelmed with the O'Neil appointment, but I think he will have changed a lot of supporters' minds already.

    "If I had to watch one team every week in the Premier League, it would be Brighton. There's nothing not to like about that club.

    "It will be a packed game, Wolves fans will get behind the team and be mindful of what a good team they are facing in Brighton.

    "The Seagulls are probably most teams' worst nightmare. Wolves will need to be on top of their game and more clinical if they want to create chances."

  6. Alexander-Arnold's double centurypublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Liverpool v Bournemouth (15:00 BST)

    Michael Emons
    BBC Sport at Anfield

    Trent Alexander Arnold muralImage source, BBC Sport

    It could be a landmark day for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who should be making his 200th Premier League appearance for Liverpool.

    He will become only the 18th Reds player to reach his double century in the Premier League and at the age of 24 years and 316 days is the second youngest Liverpool man to get there, behind only Michael Owen (24 years and 34 days).

    And what an impact the 20-cap England right-back, who can also operate in midfield and is one of the best passers in the top flight, has had with 54 assists, 12 goals and 64 clean sheets in his previous 199 matches.

    Meanwhile, both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are set for their first competitive Liverpool matches at Anfield after their £35m and £60m summer moves from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively.

    But another midfielder, 30-year-old Japan international Watari Endo, will have to wait for his moment following his £19m move from Stuttgart yesterday as he is on the bench today.

    Alexander Arnold trains at the AXA training centre.Image source, Getty Images
  7. Endo the search for a midfielder?published at 14:05 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Liverpool v Bournemouth (1:500 BST)

    Wataru EndoImage source, Getty Images

    It's been a frustrating week at Liverpool. The Reds saw Chelsea swoop in to nick a defensive midfielder from under their nose not once but twice with Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.

    But Jurgen Klopp does have a player in the building at last in the form of Wataru Endo, and at a fraction of the cost of the aforementioned duo.

    The 30-year-old made 33 Bundesliga appearances last season, scoring five goals and registering four assists.

    Stuttgart narrowly avoided relegation last season by winning a play-off against Hamburg.

    Liverpool have been after a defensive midfielder following the departures of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner this summer, while fellow midfielders Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have also left the club.

    Endo, who has 50 caps for Japan, joined Stuttgart initially on a season-long loan in 2019 before completing a permanent deal.

    Read more here.

  8. Team news - De Cordova-Reid startspublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Fulham v Brentford (15:00 BST)

    Fulham make two changes to the side that edged out Everton in their last match.

    Goalscorer Bobby De Cordova-Reid and midfielder Andreas Pereira come into the starting XI with Tom Cairney and Willian dropping to the bench.

    Fulham XI: Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Lukic, Pereira; Wilson, Jimenez, De Cordova-Reid.

    Subs: Rodak, Bassey, Cairney, Adama, Rodrigo Muniz, Willian, Palhinha, Mbabu, Carlos Vinicius.

    Fulham XI. Fulham XI: Leno; Tete, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Lukic, Pereira; Wilson, Jimenez, De Cordova-Reid.

    As for Brentford, Thomas Frank makes one switch to the team that drew 2-2 with Tottenham in his side's opener.

    It looks like the visitors are moving away from three at the back with defender Kristoffer Ajer benched for forward Kevin Schade.

    The German is making his first start for the Bees since joining permanently in the summer.

    Brentford XI: Flekken; Hickey, Collins, Pinnock, Henry; Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Schade, Wissa.

    Subs: Strakosha, Dasilva, Zanka, Onyeka, Ajer, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Roerslev, Yarmolyuk.

    Brentford XI. Brentford XI: Flekken; Hickey, Collins, Pinnock, Henry; Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Schade, Wissa.
  9. Team news - Fabio Silva starts for Wolvespublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Wolves v Brighton (15:00 BST)

    Gary O’Neil makes one change to the Wolves side that lost 1-0 at Manchester United on Monday evening.

    Pablo Sarabia drops to the bench in place of Fabio Silva, while Hwang Hee-chan also has to settle for a place among the substitutes.

    Wolves XI: Sa, Nelson Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Ait-Nouri, Neto, Joao Gomes, Lemina, Nunes, Fabio Silva, Matheus Cunha

    Subs: Bentley, Doherty, Traore, Hwang, Bueno, Kalajdzic, Sarabia, Toti, Hodge

    Wolves XI vs Brighton in the Premier LeagueImage source, BBC Sport

    Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi makes three alterations to the Seagulls team that beat newly promoted Luton 4-1.

    Adam Webster, Billy Gilmour and Julio Enciso come in, replacing Jan Paul van Hecke, Mahmoud Dahoud and Joao Pedro.

    Brighton XI: Steele, Milner, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan, Gross, Gilmour, March, Enciso, Mitoma, Welbeck

    Subs: Verbruggen, Julio, Dahoud, Pedro, Lallana, Adingra, Ferguson, Van Hecke, Veltman

    Brighton XI vs Wolves in the Premier LeagueImage source, BBC Sport
  10. Team news - Endo on Liverpool bench; Semenyo in for Bournemouthpublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Liverpool v Bournemouth (15:00 BST)

    Michael Emons
    BBC Sport at Anfield

    Endo's shirt hangs ready in the dressing room.Image source, Getty Images

    Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo, who joined yesterday in a £19m deal from Stuttgart, is among the Liverpool substitutes, while there are home competitive debuts for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

    It is an unchanged starting 11 from the side that drew 1-1 at Chelsea on Sunday.

    Liverpool XI: Alisson, Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold, Gakpo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Jota, Salah.

    Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Tsimikas, Matip, Endo, Elliott, Doak, Bajcetic, Nunez.

    LiverpoolImage source, .

    Just the one change from the Bournemouth side that began the 1-1 draw with West Ham as Antoine Semenyo comes in for David Brooks

    Nineteen-year-old midfielder Alex Scott, who joined in a £25m transfer from Bristol City in the summer, remains out with a knee injury.

    Dominic Solanke made 27 Premier League appearances, scoring once, for Liverpool in 2017-18 and starts against his former team, while Justin Kluivert, son of ex Ajax, AC Milan, Barcelona and Newcastle striker Patrick, is on the bench.

    Kluivert senior scored twice for the Netherlands against the Republic of Ireland at Anfield in a Euro 96 play-off back in December 1995.

    Bournemouth XI: Neto, Kerkez, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Aarons, Billing, Rothwell, Anthony, Christie, Semenyo, Solanke.

    Subs: Radu, Mepham, Hill, Kelly, Traore, Kilkenny, Kluivert, Moore, Brooks.

    BournemouthImage source, .
  11. Kane scores and assists on Bayern debutpublished at 13:59 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    FT: Werder Bremen 0-4 Bayern Munich

    Steve Sutcliffe
    BBC Sport

    Harry Kane scores for Bayern MunichImage source, Getty Images

    Also last night, England captain Harry Kane scored and set up a goal on his Bundesliga debut as champions Bayern Munich recorded a thumping win at Werder Bremen.

    Kane swept a low right-footed effort past home goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka from 15 yards to double Bayern's lead.

    He had earlier assisted the first of Leroy Sane's two goals with a deft clip over the top inside four minutes.

    Mathys Tel rounded off a comfortable victory for Thomas Tuchel's side late on.

    "I was a little bit nervous [and] excited to play the game of course," Kane told broadcaster DAZN after the match.

    "We started well with a goal in the first few minutes. For sure there were a few butterflies, but as always when I get on the pitch, instinct takes over."

    Read the full report here.

  12. 'Learning to do...'published at 13:56 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    FT: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sheffield United

    Here is what the two managers had to say after last night's game...

    Media caption,

    Learning to be done for Forest - Cooper

    Media caption,

    Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sheffield United: Heckingbottom says errors cost Blades goals

  13. Wood for the Forestpublished at 13:53 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    FT: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sheffield United

    Chris Wood heads in for Nottingham ForestImage source, Getty Images

    In case you missed it, we had a Premier League game last night as Nottingham Forest hosted Sheffield United.

    It brought a bit of drama too as Blades new signing Gustavo Hamer looked to have nabbed them a point before Chris Wood headed an 89th-minute winner to give Forest all three points.

    The home side had led from as early as the third minute through Taiwo Ayoniwi.

    You can read the report of that game here.

  14. Follow the action on the BBCpublished at 13:51 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    You can follow all today's action on the BBC via the usual channels.

    That means full live text commentary of all Premier League games in this very page, which also contains access to BBC Radio 5 Live radio coverage. The radio team's live stuff starts with Liverpool v Bournemouth and then concludes with Spurs v Man Utd.

    You can also follow Final Score on BBC One from 16:30 BST and on the red button.

  15. Postpublished at 13:48 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    So yeah, if you logged on to the site expecting us to be up and running at the usual time of 11:15 BST, we can only apologise. However, with the best will in the world, not even I can talk nonsense for close to four hours ahead of kick-off (although I'd give it a good old go).

    There is just over an hour to go until we do have some football in the Premier League, meaning we'll have team news for these fixtures shortly...

    Fulham v Brentford

    Liverpool v Bournemouth

    Wolves v Brighton

    There is currently football going on, though, if you want to head off over to follow it and then dart back here at 3pm.

    This includes a game in the Championship between Plymouth and Southampton and some action from Scotland.

    Jurgen Klopp checks his watch on the touchline.Image source, Getty Images
  16. A weird old weekendpublished at 13:44 British Summer Time 19 August 2023

    Morning everyone.

    Well, we're only in the second weekend and already the Premier League fixture list is all over the shop.

    We had a Friday night game because there's cricket on in Nottingham, we've no 12:30 BST top-flight game today and we're a 15:00 game down because Luton's ground isn't quite ready for the division. And then there's also a late game, at 20:00.

    Oh, and then there's only England in a World Cup final tomorrow.

    With all due respect to the teams playing this afternoon, it's the final two that will have most Premier League fans salivating.

    But we'll get there. We'll get there.