Two Liverpool fixtures rearranged as they prepare to defend Premier League title

Liverpool will enjoy a rare nine day break between their opening two Premier League matches of the 2025–26 season, following the first round of fixture amendments for TV broadcast of the season.

The Premier League champions will begin their title defence at home to Bournemouth on Friday, August 15 (8pm BST, live on Sky Sports), before travelling to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Monday, August 25 (8pm BST, Sky Sports). This extended break comes as a timely boost, with the club only returning to pre-season training earlier this week after the tragic loss of Diogo Jota.

Arne Slot’s squad were initially due to return to the AXA Training Centre on Friday, July 4. However, in the wake of Jota’s passing and his funeral over the weekend, players instead arrived for back at the AXA training centre for first time on Tuesday.

The extended nine day gap between games offers Slot a useful window to continue building momentum and fitness early in the campaign after a delayed pre-season start.

While the Monday night trip to Newcastle will be a tough seven-hour round journey for travelling fans, it mirrors last season’s late kick-off between the two sides, which ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw. In that fixture, Mohamed Salah netted a brilliant solo goal in the second half but Fabian Schär dramatically equalised late on after earlier goals from Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Curtis Jones.

In the reverse fixture at Anfield, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister sealed a 2-0 victory for the Reds, only for the Magpies to get revenge a month later when beating Slot’s side 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final, ending the 56 year trophy drought.

Liverpool’s third and final August fixture sees Arsenal visit Anfield on Sunday, August 31 (4.30pm BST, Sky Sports) in what promises to be one of the month’s headline clashes. That game will lead directly into the first international break of the new season.

Here is Liverpool’s full fixture list for August 2025:

• Bournemouth (H) – Friday, August 15, 8pm (Sky Sports)
• Newcastle (A) – Monday, August 25, 8pm (Sky Sports)
• Arsenal (H) – Sunday, August 31, 4.30pm (Sky Sports)

In addition to these fixtures, Arne Slot’s takes his team to Deepdale for an opening pre-season friendly against Preston North End, which will be broadcast live on ITV1 this Sunday, July 13. The Reds will also face Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday 10 August, to be shown on TNT Sports, before the competitive season begins.

Looking ahead, September promises to be a packed month with six scheduled matches, including Champions League group stage action, Carabao Cup involvement, and Premier League games including a home Merseyside derby against rivals Everton.

The Premier League have also reminded fans that fixture times are subject to change throughout the campaign, particularly with nine English clubs competing in European competitions during the 2025–26 season.

Follow Paisley Gates for all Liverpool news throughout theseason as Arne Slot men prepare to defend their Premier League crown in the months ahead.