Liverpool will kick off their English Premier League Season on Friday as the team to beat, as the Reds have improved from Jurgen Klopp’s era
They will host Bournemouth in the season’s curtain-raiser in what will be an emotional night at Anfield after the death of forward Diogo Jota in a car crash.
Liverpool, who won last year’s title with four matches to spare, made a bold and ambitious summer, signing with Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, to sharpen their attack that promises to be among the most explosive in the league. They also added pace in the fullback by acquiring Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk remain central pillars.
The key question is can Liverpool’s new-look defence hold firm to repeat winning the title?
Bournemouth finished ninth last season.
Manchester City will travel to Wolverhampton on Saturday as Pep Guardiola looks to restore his revamped team to their former glory after last season’s third-place disappointment.
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Rodri, whose absence last season due to a serious knee injury contributed to City’s poor campaign, is facing a race to get fit for their opening match after picking up an injury during the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Ballon d’Or winner has returned to training, but Guardiola said he will not be “really, really fit” until after the September international break.
City finished 13 points behind Liverpool last season. Wolves were 16th.
Perennial contenders Arsenal, who finished second three seasons running, will travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to play Manchester United in a much-anticipated clash of two revamped teams.
Desperate to break the second-place cycle, the Gunners added quality and depth in signing Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to bolster the midfield, and Viktor Gyökeres to help solve their long-standing striker issue.
Arsenal’s defence remains elite — and will be put to the test against United’s brand new front three of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo.
After their dismal 15th-place finish last season under new coach Ruben Amorim, United have been in full rebuild mode, with
expectations high but patience wearing thin.
The Red Devils are aiming for a top-four finish and a return to European football. But United remain a wild card. The big question is can Amorim quickly galvanise his new-look squad into a competitive force, or will this be another frustrating season of transition?
Three newly promoted clubs will get a taste of England’s top flight this weekend with Sunderland hosting West Ham United and Burnley travelling to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and Leeds United hosting Everton on Monday.
-Reuters
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
