Pressure is all on Jurgen to finally deliver
No one needs reminding that it is 28 years since Liverpool were last Champions of England.
But rarely in the long time that has since elapsed have the Reds gone into a league season with such high expectations.
Their thrilling ride to the Champions League Final last season is one reason, with Mohamed Salah’s 44 goals leading the charge.
But that has now been backed up in the transfer window with manager Jurgen Klopp spending £170m on reinforcements.
The goalkeeping position had to be addressed, especially after Loris Karius’ two high- profile errors against Real Madrid that denied European glory.
Klopp didn’t deal with the problem with a sticking plaster. Her shelved out a world record fee for a goalkeeper – £67m – on Brazil’s No.1, Alisson.
It was a sign that Liverpool really mean business.
Alisson’s arrival has been complemented by that of midfield pair Naby Keita and Fabinho, while Xherdan Shaqiri has come in from Stoke City to provide a further attacking option.
Suddenly the Reds cannot look enviously over at the two Manchester clubs and complain about not being able to compete on the transfer front or in terms of squad depth.
The excuses are no longer there. It is time to deliver.
That is still the nagging doubt that hangs over Klopp and his tenure at Liverpool.
In nearly three years, the German has reached cup finals in three separate competitions – and lost them all.
The highest league placing is fourth. Liverpool are ready to be winners again. It’s time to write a new chapter in the club’s famous history.
Since lifting the FA Cup in 2006, the Reds have only won one League Cup, in 2012 under Kenny Dalglish.
In fact, since they were last champions, they have only finished runners- up four times, most-recently in 2014 under Brendan Rodgers.
It has been an unbelievably fallow time for a club so used to success.
In that same period, the two Manchester clubs have hoovered up 18 major honours between them, so Liverpool need to break that power axis.
Everything seems to be in place. Liverpool have the manager they want and a redeveloped stadium that has a huge waiting list for tickets.
Klopp has been allowed to build a team in his own image, and he’s created a side that the fans love watching.
Now there is almost a fervour waiting for the Anfield giants to be successful, and the German has to manage that and keep emotions in check.
Liverpool have shown they can get up for the big games. They defeated Manchester City three times last season.
But they also dropped nine points against the sides that were relegated and it’s those costly lapses that must be eradicated if the Reds are to look down on the rest next May.
Across Stanley Park, Marco Silva is getting his feet under the table as the new Everton manager.
It’s almost nine months later than they wanted him, but Everton had no hesitation in going for the Portuguese once Sam Allardyce had gone.
After the chaos of Allardyce, Ronald Koeman and David Unsworth all being in charge at some point during the last campaign, Everton need a season of stability.
There was also precious little to get excited about, with no cup runs or memorable victories to savour.
Silva’s headline move in the transfer market is the capture of Richarlison from Watford for the eye-watering sum of £50m.
The Brazilian produced his best form under Silva’s guidance, and Everton need more of that now.
But Silva is also trying to herd unwanted players out of the door, which is inevitable after so many managers in such a short space of time.
Everton should be aiming for seventh, as the so-called “best of the rest”.
But regardless of where they finish, Toffees fans want a bit more excitement and a team that deserves their support.