Running analysis from opening weekend of Premier League season

theScore provides key takeaways and analysis from the opening round of the 2025-26 Premier League season. Check in throughout the weekend for thoughts on every match as we raise the curtain on another campaign.

Saturday

Isak's absence looms large

This one isn't rocket science. Disgruntled striker Alexander Isak was left out of Newcastle's squad for Saturday's match as he continues to push for a transfer to Liverpool. The Magpies missed him dearly. Eddie Howe, who's saying all the right things but must be deeply frustrated about the situation, started three wingers up front at Villa Park, with Anthony Gordon acting as the de facto striker between Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga. Newcastle dominated play - they outshot the hosts 16-3 overall and generated 1.47 expected goals - but lacked the finishing touch inside the penalty area, with both Elanga and Gordon spurning chances. Even playing against 10 men after Ezri Konsa was sent off in the 66th minute, Newcastle struggled; they had just one shot on target after the red card.

Isak scored 23 Premier League goals last season, second only to Mohamed Salah. That production isn't easily replaceable. Finding another forward with a similar skill set will be almost impossible in the transfer market; Yoane Wissa, strongly linked with a transfer, would be a nice addition, but he's another predominantly wide forward. The best outcome would be for the Swede and Newcastle to repair their fractured relationship.

Friday

Slot still seeking balance

Liverpool are a wicked, relentless attacking team. Even if they don't land Isak - who they might not need if Federico Chiesa can stay healthy and contribute - the Reds are going to score lots of goals this season. They're also going to concede plenty. We saw it during preseason, and those suspicions carried into the Premier League opener. Liverpool lined up with at least six attack-minded players at Anfield - seven if you include nominal "defender" Jeremie Frimpong - and their performance reflected that.

Bournemouth punished them twice on the counter, exploiting enormous space behind the full-back for the first goal and a chasm in central midfield for the second. The return of Ryan Gravenberch from suspension will help address some of that, but not all of it. Ibrahima Konate, who looked sluggish and indecisive against the Cherries, will need to be at his best all season with the sheer amount of open space he's being asked to cover on his own.

If anything, Friday's emotional curtain-raiser could convince Liverpool to expedite a move for Marc Guehi. But this appears to be a stylistic issue more than a personnel problem. Slot needs to decide quickly if he's willing to sacrifice some attacking aggression for more defensive solidity. Otherwise, Liverpool will spend much of the season trying to outscore their defensive frailties.

Semenyo stands tall

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola challenged Antoine Semenyo to be a leader for his team following a summer in which the attacker signed a new contract. Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur were all linked with the Ghanaian, but he committed his future to the Cherries to end transfer speculation. Now, Semenyo is stepping up - and in much more testing ways than his boss had envisioned.

The opening match of the season was delayed during the first half after Semenyo reported to the referee that he was a victim of racist abuse. Some players would've understandably been distraught and distracted by such vile treatment, but Semenyo responded by producing two quality second-half goals after rapid Bournemouth breakaways. It was a display of unfathomable strength from a supremely talented player and, of course, a leader.