Five talking points as new English top flight campaign kicks off

Liverpool begins its bid for a record 21st English title on Friday, with Arne Slot's revamped side installed as favorite to retain its Premier League crown.

Arsenal and Manchester City are its main rivals, while Chelsea and Manchester United have questions to answer.

Here is a look at five key talking points ahead of the start of the 2025-26 season:

Liverpool in pole position

When Liverpool hosts Bournemouth in the opening match of the top-flight season, the Reds will put on display an expensively overhauled team carrying great expectations.

Liverpool hasn't been crowned champion in successive campaigns since 1982-83 and 1983-84.

Emulating the feat of Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and Co would take the Anfield club past Manchester United into sole possession of the most English titles.

Chasing that target, while also competing for the Champions League, convinced boss Arne Slot to invest from a position of strength, as Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez headlined a 256 million ($343 million) summer spree.

Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have departed, but Slot sees encouraging signs from a new-look attack that could yet still include much sought-after Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

"Last season we had a lot of ball possession, but that didn't always lead to promising situations. Now, we are better in creating than we were throughout the whole of last season," he said.

Can Arsenal get over the line?

After finishing as runner-up for the last three seasons, Arsenal believes it is ready to end its long wait to lift the Premier League trophy.

Mikel Arteta's side blew golden opportunities in the title race in 2023 and 2024, but last season was a frustrating injury-plagued affair that petered out with Liverpool the runaway winner boasting a 10-point lead.

Arsenal hasn't won the title since 2004, and its only major trophy under Arteta is the 2020 FA Cup.

Having spent over 180 million pounds on Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga, Arteta is confident Arsenal can finally reach the promised land.

"We have been very close the last few seasons. We know what our targets are. There is a big belief in our ability to achieve that," he said.

City's road back to the top

Pep Guardiola has spent the close season engaged in a desperate attempt to halt Manchester City's decline.

Continuing a major overhaul that started in the January transfer window, Guardiola has signed Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and James Trafford.

With Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker leaving, and Jack Grealish on loan to Everton, it has been a summer of change at the Etihad Stadium.

Whether Guardiola's wheeling and dealing can take City back to the summit after a first trophyless season since 2017 is another matter.

City looked shockingly vulnerable during its slump to a third-place finish, while concerns remain over the durability of midfield talisman Rodri after his serious knee injury.

Maresca's men aim high

Fresh from its surprise Club World Cup success, Chelsea will look to carry the momentum into the domestic campaign.

Enzo Maresca's men returned from the United States buoyed by its impressive 3-0 victory over Champions League holder Paris Saint-Germain in the final, but will that success translate into domestic league dominance?

The Blues had the youngest average starting lineup across an entire Premier League season in the competition's history last term.

Despite a turbulent campaign, Chelsea managed to finish fourth, enabling it to qualify for the Champions League, and also won the UEFA Conference League.

Now, emerging stars Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are joined by new recruits Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian and Jorrel Hato, as Chelsea sets its sights even higher.

United eyes redemption

Chastened by its lowest league finish since 1973-74, Manchester United hopes a complete revamp of its attack can inspire a redemptive season.

Ruben Amorim's side finished 15th before suffering a toothless 1-0 defeat against fellow struggler Tottenham in the Europa League final — a loss that cost it a place in the Champions League.

It was an appropriately limp conclusion to a humiliating season, and Amorim is under intense pressure to turn the tide after spending 200 million pounds on forwards Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan, with Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund all likely to leave Old Trafford, as Amorim tries to wake the sleeping giant.

AFP