LIVERPOOL: Liverpool have splashed out to defend their Premier League title as champions but face stiff competition from an Arsenal side desperate to shake off their tag as nearly men and a rejuvenated Manchester City.
After storming to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, Liverpool have looked to build from a position of strength during a summer marked by tragedy.
Portuguese forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother last month, plunging the club into mourning.
Tributes to Jota will continue throughout the season with “Forever 20” — his shirt number, which the club have now retired — printed on Liverpool’s jerseys.
The Reds have already spent £260 million ($350 million) on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.
However, after the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, they are not yet done in strengthening their forward line and are expected to launch a fresh bid for Alexander Isak, with Newcastle demanding a British transfer record fee for the Swedish striker.
Liverpool’s rivals will hope Wirtz and Ekitike take time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League after shining in Germany’s Bundesliga, while there are defensive doubts for Slot’s men to answer.
The Dutch coach said his side need to defend better after leaky performances in pre-season were followed by defeat in the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on Sunday after twice blowing the lead.
After finishing second for the past three seasons, Arsenal are longing for their first title in 22 years and have backed Mikel Arteta with another near £200 million investment in the transfer market.
Spanish international Martin Zubimendi will be the new anchor of the midfield, while the signings of Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga add depth to the squad.
But Arsenal’s season is likely to be defined by whether Viktor Gyokeres proves to be the answer to their need for a prolific striker.
The Swede struck 97 times in 102 games during two years at Sporting Lisbon, but the 27-year-old failed to make a breakthrough in the Premier League during his previous experience in England.
After coming up short at Brighton, Gyokeres scored 41 goals in 121 games in England’s second tier with Coventry and Swansea.
“He’s a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he’s going to destroy you,” said Arteta of his new striker.
City were dethroned last season after an unprecedented run of four consecutive titles as the wheels came off for Pep Guardiola’s men without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
The Spaniard has been ruled out till September due to a setback in his return from a serious knee injury, but City have refreshed their squad with the additions of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.
After a first trophyless season since 2016/17, City expect to be back in the fight for the title.
Chelsea were the last side other than City and Liverpool to lift the title back in 2017 and showed they are a coming force once more by winning the Club World Cup in the US last month.
The Blues finished fourth, 15 points behind Liverpool last season, but their transfer policy of investing heavily in scores of young prospects is beginning to bear fruit.
Joao Pedro made an instant impact with three goals in three games at the Club World Cup after a £55 million move from Brighton and could solve Chelsea’s need for a world class goalscorer.
Manchester United have transformed their forward line with the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo after finishing 15th last season.
Beating United in the Europa League final was not enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep his job as Tottenham manager and former Brentford boss Thomas Frank has taken over in north London.
Promoted trio Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley are aiming to avoid a worrying trend for the competitive balance.
For the past two seasons all three promoted clubs have gone straight back down as the gap between the riches of the Premier League and the second tier continues to grow.
Liverpool spend big to hold off Arsenal, City in Premier League title fight
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Liverpool spend big to hold off Arsenal, City in Premier League title fight
- Tributes to Jota will continue throughout the season with “Forever 20” — his shirt number, which the club have now retired — printed on Liverpool’s jerseys
Leeds survive Birmingham scare to reach FA Cup fifth round
- Wolves also avoided an upset as they won 1-0 at fourth-division Grimsby
LONDON: Leeds survived an FA Cup scare to reach the fifth round with a penalty shoot-out victory against second-tier Birmingham on Sunday.
Birmingham substitute Patrick Roberts snatched an 89th-minute equalizer at St. Andrew’s to cancel out Lukas Nmecha’s 49th-minute opener for Leeds.
With a feisty fourth round tie level at 1-1 after extra-time, Leeds won the shoot-out 4-2.
Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson and Sean Longstaff all converted their penalties for Daniel Farke’s team.
Tommy Doyle’s effort was saved by Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri before Roberts fired over the crossbar.
Battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, Leeds are one win away from reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 2003.
Wolves also avoided an upset as they won 1-0 at fourth-division Grimsby.
Grimsby stunned Manchester United in the League Cup earlier this season.
But Wolves avoided similar embarrassment thanks to Santiago Bueno’s 60th-minute goal from the visitors’ first shot on target on a mud-caked pitch at Blundell Park.
Grimsby did not manage to force Wolves ‘keeper Sam Johnstone into a save until Andy Cook’s header in the 90th minute.
It was Wolves’ first away win since beating Manchester United in April.
Mired in a miserable season that has left them bottom of the Premier League and almost certain to be relegated, Rob Edwards’ side can still salvage some pride in the FA Cup.
Fulham came from behind to win 2-1 at second tier Stoke.
Cottagers boss Marco Silva made 10 changes from their midweek defeat at Manchester City and nearly paid for the gamble.
South Korean midfielder Bae Jun-ho capped a fine move to put Stoke ahead after 19 minutes.
But Brazilian winger Kevin got his reward for an impressive performance in the 55th minute, sending a first-time shot into the bottom corner.
Harrison Reed completed Fulham’s escape act in the 84th minute, intercepting a poor pass from Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin and slotting home.
Sunderland reached the fifth round for the first time since 2015 as Habib Diarra’s controversial penalty clinched a 1-0 win at second tier Oxford.
Regis Le Bris’ side went in front after 32 minutes when Dennis Cirkin tumbled under Christ Makosso’s challenge.
Referee Thomas Kirk pointed to the spot despite Oxford’s protests and Diarra rubbed salt into their wounds as he calmly converted the penalty.
