Guardian writers' predicted place: 1st (NB: this isn't essentially Andy Hunter's prediction however the common of our writers' suggestions)
Final season's place: 1st
Prospects
Champions for a record-equalling twentieth time, and by a cushty margin, first-choice switch targets secured in an formidable recruitment drive and the potential of Alexander Isak arriving too: Liverpool look in excellent form to have a good time their twenty first title this season. A seventh Champions League triumph can even be thought-about a sensible goal by Arne Slot.
Expectations are excessive at Anfield however any evaluation of the membership should think about the immeasurable affect of Diogo Jota's tragic dying on teammates and colleagues. It's the unknown issue of their title defence.
On paper Liverpool have upgraded the squad that received the Premier League with 4 matches to spare and handed Slot larger depth and flexibility for his second season. The top coach rotated sparingly within the league and his method was rewarded handsomely. Slot, nonetheless, felt that fatigue caught up with the workforce throughout a sequence of 30 matches between November and March and he ought to have made extra adjustments for the Carabao Cup last defeat by Newcastle. Count on extra rotation this season.
Liverpool have added tempo in each full-back positions with the signings of Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, two elements of an announcement switch window once they spent virtually £300m. Hugo Ekitiké was signed from underneath Newcastle's noses after a breakthrough season with Eintracht Frankfurt and the coveted Florian Wirtz arrived for a membership report – and doubtlessly British report – charge. Slot believes the Germany worldwide will deliver “a number of additional weapons” to the aspect. Wealthy in attacking choices, Liverpool against this seem gentle in central defence and would require one other imperious marketing campaign from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté. The pair have been a formidable unit final season. The defending champions seem the identical.
The supervisor
There's a stark distinction between the character of the Liverpool head coach and the supervisor he succeeded final summer time however, due to his tactical brilliance and calm, grounded method, Slot exceeded expectations in evolving the squad constructed by Jürgen Klopp. Historical past was made consequently. Slot made one of the best begin by any Liverpool supervisor with 11 wins in his first 12 video games, grew to become the primary Dutch coach to win the Premier League and joined the Anfield greats Joe Fagan and Sir Kenny Dalglish in successful the title in his first season. After the tragic occasions of the summer time, the 46-year-old stated: “To signify this membership on this metropolis now even means extra to me and to my spouse than it did earlier than.”
Off-field image
It has been a devastating summer time for Liverpool after the deaths of Jota and his brother André Silva in a automobile accident on 3 July. The Portugal worldwide was some of the down-to-earth and widespread figures within the dressing room, in addition to a superb finisher who received the Premier League and Nations League within the weeks earlier than his dying. The grass verge behind the Foremost Stand at Anfield grew to become a sea of tributes to the 28-year-old, who married his long-term associate Rute Cardoso, the mom of their three younger kids, 11 days earlier than the accident. Liverpool have completely retired Jota's No 20 shirt in his honour throughout all ranges of the membership and have plans for a everlasting memorial.
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Star signing
A sure Newcastle striker may make a late play for this title however, within the meantime, it's Wirtz who embodies Liverpool's ambition and willingness to pay a report charge for a transformative signing. The champions beat off competitors from Bayern Munich and Manchester Metropolis for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who additionally had curiosity from Actual Madrid. Slot believes Wirtz's creativity will compensate for Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit and allow Liverpool to show dominance in possession into extra emphatic victories. Wirtz has regarded a category act in pre-season, the previous Bayer Leverkusen participant's passing, contact, consciousness and skill to seek out pockets of house in and across the penalty space impressing.
Stepping up
With impeccable timing, the 16-year-old left-winger Rio Ngumoha shone in a pre-season pleasant in opposition to Yokohama F. Marinos on the day Luis Díaz accomplished his £65.5m transfer to Bayern. A tremendous show capped by a superb particular person purpose confirmed Slot there could possibly be an alternative choice to exchange the Colombian. Ngumoha repeated the trick in his subsequent outing in opposition to Athletic Bilbao. Chelsea have been livid when Ngumoha left for Liverpool final summer time. {The teenager}, for his half, felt there was a extra simple pathway to the primary workforce at Anfield. He'll signal his first skilled contract when he turns 17 on 29 August.
A giant season for
Alexander-Arnold's departure creates a gap for Conor Bradley to ascertain himself because the first-choice right-back. Nevertheless, any prospect of a simple promotion for a 22-year-old who has all of the attributes for the job, and the expertise of 57 appearances for Liverpool, was curtailed days after the Premier League trophy was lifted. The champions introduced the £29.5m signing of Frimpong on the day they accepted a €10m package deal from Madrid for Alexander-Arnold's early launch. The competitors for Bradley stays as fierce as ever, however a possibility is there to be seized.
