3 months ago
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Manchester United have had a tough time replacing Sir Alex Ferguson after he retired at the end of his distinguished career and Arsenal experienced similar difficulties after Arsene Wenger called time on his remarkable reign in N15, so all eyes will be on Arne Slot as he tries to fill Jurgen Klopp’s boots at Anfield.
It’s a tall order as the German coach was in charge at Liverpool for nine successful years, winning both the Champions League and Premier League trophies among other worthy triumphs as he carved his name alongside the likes of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Kenny Dalglish and so many other legendary managers in the rich folklore at the famous club.
Klopp’s final season saw the Reds win the Carabao Cup and they were on course to scoop four pieces of silverware before faltering down the home straight.
They finally finished third in the league, nine points behind defending champions Manchester City and were a victim of their own success as a heavy workload took its toll.
Last year could still be regarded as something of a transitional one with Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and James Milner among the players who departed for new adventures after giving such sterling service to the club.
And despite a lack of high-quality recruits this summer the Reds still look better placed to finish in the top four than the majority of their rivals.
They finished 14 points ahead of Aston Villa, who filled the final Champions League berth in May with Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle also in their shadow.
Keeping Mohamed Salah at Anfield is key but unlike last summer there has been no real indication he will be poached by one of the Saudi Arabian clubs happy to splash their cash on star names.
Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and youngsters like Harvey Elliott, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah and Curtis James should also all make improvements to their play this term.
Liverpool still look a shade short of the impeccable standards set by Manchester City and Arsenal so only diehard fans will be lumping on them to win the title at 7/1 with Ladbrokes, Coral and bet365 but they are definitely worth an each-way wager in Sky Bet’s handicap market where they are 16/1 to finish top with a +9 point start.
• Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Rotherham and Gillingham form Saturday’s Football League acca.
• The FedExCup play-offs commence with the first of three tournaments being staged at Southwind in Memphis this week. Olympic silver medallist Tommy Fleetwood was tied third last year and appeals at 18/1 with bet365 in their top-ten each-way market.
Russell Henley, a solo fifth in The Open at Royal Troon, was T6 with Corey Connors in this event 12 months ago while three-time FedEx winner Rory McIlroy is an e/w certainty. They are 20/1, 25/1 and 17/2 respectively with the same firm.
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