The final polish is being applied to pre-season preparations as European giants Liverpool welcome La Liga stalwarts Athletic Bilbao to the iconic Anfield stadium. This high-profile friendly on August 4th, 2025, serves as the last major test for both clubs before their respective domestic campaigns kick-off. Liverpool have enjoyed a strong pre-season, showcasing their attacking depth, while Athletic Bilbao have proven to be a typically resolute and hard-to-beat outfit. With both managers likely to field strong sides to build match sharpness, this clash offers a fascinating tactical battle and numerous betting opportunities.
This Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao preview will provide an in-depth analysis of what to expect. As a comprehensive Liverpool vs Athletic Bilbao betting preview, it will cover form, statistics, team news, and expert tips to give punters a definitive guide for this glamour friendly at Anfield.
Liverpool Vs Athletic Bilbao Match Preview/Betting Preview
Team Recent Form
(Based on pre-season friendly results)
Liverpool: W-D-W-W-L Athletic Bilbao: D-W-L-W-D
Key Stats
- Liverpool have scored in every single one of their pre-season fixtures this summer, averaging 2.8 goals per game.
- Athletic Bilbao have kept a clean sheet in three of their last five pre-season matches against non-Spanish opposition.
- The last two friendly encounters between these two sides at Anfield have seen both teams find the net.
I predict a correct score of 3-1 to Liverpool. My reasoning for this is based on the attacking freedom both teams display in these final pre-season games. Liverpool, playing in front of a packed Anfield, will be keen to put on a show and their offensive talents have been on full display all summer. While Athletic are defensively sound, Liverpool’s fluid attack should be able to create numerous chances. I expect the Spanish side to grab a goal themselves, as friendly matches often feature defensive lapses and substitutions that disrupt team structure, but Liverpool’s superior firepower should see them secure a comfortable win.
Liverpool Vs Athletic Bilbao H2H
- This fixture has become a regular part of both clubs’ pre-season schedules, with this being the fourth meeting in the last eight years.
- In their last meeting in August 2023, the match ended in a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
- Liverpool hold a slight edge in recent H2H friendlies, with one win and two draws in the last three encounters.
- There have been exactly two goals scored in two of the last three head-to-head matches.
Pre Game Odds
- Liverpool Win: 1.60
- Draw: 4.00
- Athletic Bilbao Win: 5.50 (Odds are subject to change and are for illustrative purposes only)
Team News Liverpool
Manager Arne Slot is expected to give his key players significant minutes as a final dress rehearsal for the Premier League opener. New summer signing, winger Nico Williams—poached ironically from Athletic Bilbao in a blockbuster transfer—is expected to make his highly anticipated Anfield debut against his former club. Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk are all set to start after being rested in the last match, meaning the Reds will field a team very close to their strongest XI.
Team News Athletic Bilbao
Coach Ernesto Valverde faces a significant emotional test taking his team to Anfield without their former star, Nico Williams. His brother, Iñaki Williams, will be expected to lead the line and will be the main attacking threat for the Basque side. Athletic have no significant injury concerns and are likely to field a strong, experienced lineup designed to frustrate Liverpool and test their own defensive shape ahead of their La Liga campaign.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Elliott; Salah, Núñez, Williams
Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Simón; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Vesga, Ruiz de Galarreta; Iñaki Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta
Liverpool Vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Result: Liverpool Win
Tip 2 – Over/Under 2.5 goals: Over 2.5 Goals
Tip 3 – Both Teams to Score: Yes
