MANCHESTER, England - Fresh off a dominant title-winning campaign, Liverpool kick off the new Premier League season on Friday as the team to beat, as the Reds have transitioned from Juergen Klopp's high-octane chaos to a more measured possession-based style under Arne Slot.
Liverpool host Bournemouth in the season's curtain-raiser on what is sure to be an emotional night at Anfield after the July 3 death of forward Diogo Jota in a car crash.
Liverpool, who locked up last year's title with four matches to spare, had a bold and ambitious summer, signing Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, who headline a revamped attack that promises to be among the most explosive in the league. They also added pace at fullback by acquiring Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk remain central pillars.
The key question is can Liverpool's new-look defense hold firm to support a title repeat?
Slot is cautiously optimistic.
"The reason that it is so difficult is there are so many competitors who can also win the league here," he said on Thursday. "To win it once is already very, very special. That is unbelievable if you are able to do it (twice) in this league. This year it is probably going to be harder than before."
Bournemouth finished ninth last season.
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Manchester City travel to Wolverhampton on Saturday as Pep Guardiola looks to restore his revamped team to their former glory after last term's third-place disappointment.
Rodri, whose absence last season due to a serious knee injury contributed to City's poor campaign, is facing a race to get fit for their opening match after picking up an injury during the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Ballon d'Or winner has returned to training, but Guardiola said he will not be "really, really fit" until after the September international break.
City finished 13 points behind Liverpool last season. Wolves were 16th.
Perennial contenders Arsenal, who have finished second three seasons running, travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to play Manchester United in a much-anticipated clash of two revamped teams.
Desperate to break the second-place cycle, the Gunners added quality and depth in signing Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to bolster the midfield, and Viktor Gyokeres to help solve their long-standing striker issue.
Arsenal's defense remains elite — and will be put to the test against United's brand new front three of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo.
After their dismal 15th-place finish last season under new boss Ruben Amorim, United have been in full rebuild mode, with expectations high but patience wearing thin.
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The Red Devils are aiming for a top-four finish and a return to European football. But United remain a wild card. The big question is can Amorim quickly galvanize his new-look squad into a competitive force, or will this be another frustrating season of transition?
The three promoted clubs get a taste of England's top flight this weekend with Sunderland hosting West Ham United and Burnley travelling to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and Leeds United hosting Everton on Monday.
