LIVERPOOL

Last season: 4th

Title odds: 12/1 Ins: Mohamed Salah (Roma, £36.9m), Dominic Solanke (Chelsea, £3m), Andrew Robertson (Hull, £8m)

Outs: Alex Manninger (retired), Andre Wisdom (Derby, £2m), Lucas Leiva (Lazio, £5m), Kevin Stewart (Hull, £4m), Pedro Chirivella (Willem II, loan), Connor Randall (Hearts, loan), Taiwo Awoniyi (Mouscron, loan), Shamal George (Carlisle, loan)

What will be the tactics?

Same as last year. Attack, attack, attack a bit more and try to stop conceding daft goals from set-pieces. Jurgen Klopp’s template was clear at the start of last season when Liverpool were playing the most entertaining football in the country. They could not sustain this form when the squad was stretched. Klopp believes a few key additions, the maturing of his youngsters, and a little more luck with injuries will solve the problem. Whatever the season holds at Anfield you can be sure they will be fun to watch. Often that is because of their defensive vulnerability as much as attacking intent, but an Anfield ticket offers value for money when Klopp sends out his players.

Who looks the most exciting signing?

Mohamed Salah (above). Liverpool have not been as active as some rivals at the top end of the Premier League table, but their pursuit of Salah was concluded relatively swiftly given the Egyptian was in place for the start of preseason. Salah’s pace will complement that of the livewire Sadio Mane, but also offer a turbo boost when both are included.

Which unknown could make a name for

themselves? It might be a stretch to class Trent Alexander-arnold as an ‘unknown’ but he spent last season as a backup to Nathaniel Clyne and will certainly feature more prominently over the next 12 months. Liverpool supporters have been excited about the teenager’s progress for a while and this time next season plenty beyond Merseyside could be talking about the defender.

Who’s the one player they cannot do without?

Philippe Coutinho. There is a reason Barcelona make £80 million bids for footballers, and why Liverpool have vowed to keep rejecting them. Liverpool work better as a unit and last season the loss of Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson had a detrimental impact at different times, but there is no doubt who has become Anfield’s superstar since the Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard era.

How safe is the manager?

As safe as any coach managing one of the world’s biggest clubs can be. Klopp signed a new deal a year ago and in many respects is exactly on schedule. His first priority was restoring the club’s top-four status. At times he has threatened to exceed expectations – two finals in his first six months – but generally he has done exactly what was needed so far. Now it gets more difficult as there is a demand for a trophy and sustained Champions League participation.

Who would be the most appropriate celebrity fan?

Tom Cruise: No matter how hard they try, and whatever philosophy they turn to, will never be quite as big as they were in the 1980s.