Chris Sutton expects Liverpool star to regain confidence as he predicts the score vs Bournemouth

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Liverpool will begin their defence of the Premier League title when they welcome Bournemouth to Anfield on Friday.

Arne Slot will be eager to right the wrongs of the Reds’ Community Shield loss against Crystal Palace after Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, and Harvey Elliott were thwarted in the penalty shootout.

There is, however, plenty of room for optimism. Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike impressed at Wembley in spite of the defeat as the Frenchman opened his Liverpool account alongside fellow new arrival Jeremie Frimpong.

The Reds are expected to name a strong line-up at Anfield, which would see Milos Kerkez make his league debut for the club against his former employers.

However, Bournemouth have also undergone wholesale changes to their squad throughout the summer as Andoni Iraola aims to prove his side can still compete despite losing several key stars.

Chris Sutton predicts Liverpool to beat Bournemouth

Chris Sutton has offered his scoreline prediction for the clash when writing for BBC Sport, and he expects plenty of goals at Anfield, with Salah getting himself on the scoresheet.

“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.

“Prediction: 3-1.”

Paul Merson berated Salah’s “worrying” display at Wembley, claiming his performance was the worst he had ever seen from a top level footballer.

The 33-year-old looked a shadow of his former self throughout the Community Shield as he struggled to exert his usual influence on the match while the summer arrivals stole the show.

And although Salah is backed to win the Ballon d’Or this season by his Liverpool teammates, his form of late has proven to be a cause for concern ahead of the Reds’ defence of the Premier League title.

Mohamed Salah is expected to regain his confidence for Liverpool

Sutton claimed Salah appeared shot of confidence after the Egyptian skied his penalty over the bar during the shootout at Wembley, reminiscent of his effort from 12 yards against Athletic Bilbao in the pre-season friendly at Anfield.

“Have you not seen Salah in pre-season? He’s ballooned two penalties over the bar. His confidence is shot to bits,” Sutton said on The FPL Podcast.

Indeed, Salah left a lot to be desired out on the pitch at Wembley, but he is still Salah, and his recent downturn in form should merely be a blip on the road ahead of another monumental campaign for the forward.

He beat the all-time record for goal contributions in the Premier League last season, as at times, he single-handedly carried the Reds to the title.

Although Liverpool have added star-studded additions to ensure Salah does not have to carry the goalscoring burden alone, expect him to still play a major role at Anfield this term.