Liverpool vs. Athletic Bilbao Tips and Odds – 04/08/2025

• Fixture: Liverpool vs Athletic Club (Bilbao) – Pre-season Friendly (First of Double-Header)
• Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
• Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

Match Preview

Liverpool’s pre-season ends with a bang as the newly crowned Premier League champions host Athletic Club for a thrilling double-header at Anfield. This friendly is especially anticipated by fans, promising an evening full of excitement, goals, and a first glimpse of Liverpool’s new Adidas home kit. Liverpool are coming in fresh from an Asia tour, having tested themselves against AC Milan and Yokohama F. Marinos, while Athletic Club arrive from Spain eager to fine-tune their squad ahead of a European campaign.

For Liverpool, this summer marks a new era under Arne Slot, who will be looking to integrate the Reds’ new signings and ensure key players like Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister hit the ground running for 2025–26. Their pre-season form has been characterized by attacking intent and smart squad rotation: a 3-1 win over Preston North End, a 2-4 defeat to Milan, and a morale-boosting 3-1 victory against Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan. The team appears well-conditioned, building up confidence for the Community Shield and the upcoming Premier League season.

Athletic Club, managed by Ernesto Valverde, are eager to sharpen their edge before Champions League football returns to San Mamés. Their legendary Basque-only policy remains intact, and the squad relies heavily on homegrown talents like Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet, and stalwarts such as Iñaki Williams and Unai Simón. They finished an impressive 4th in La Liga last season, earning another shot at Europe. Friendly matches have been peppered with glimpses of slick passing and defensive solidity, though a recent 2-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven and squad rotation in July showed there are still tweaks to make before the competitive fixtures kick in.

Both teams’ most recent clash came in August 2021 at Anfield, where Liverpool ran out 3-1 winners with goals from Salah, Firmino, and Mané, while Iñaki Williams notched for the visitors. The Basques last beat Liverpool in 1968 on a European night decided by a coin toss! This time, the match promises entertainment and attacking moves on both sides, with both managers expected to give playing time to youth and new faces, alongside established stars.

Key Players to Watch

• Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (top scorer), Alexis Mac Allister, Virgil van Dijk, and new signings like Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.
• Athletic Club: Nico and Iñaki Williams (pace, goals), Oihan Sancet (playmaker, fitness permitting), goalkeeper Unai Simón, and Álex Berenguer.

Prediction

Expect high entertainment at Anfield as Liverpool seek to end pre-season on a high. With both sides rotating, a 2-1 or 3-2 win for Liverpool looks likely. However, don’t rule out fireworks from Athletic’s dynamic attack if Nico Williams is ready to go.

Popular Betting Markets (Fractional odds)*

*Odds subject to change; check the link for up-to-date prices.

Get ready for a spectacular football festival at Anfield – and good luck if you’re having a flutter!