As was the case last season, Liverpool are set to start the new campaign as second-favourites for the Premier League title behind Manchester City. As things stand, the best available betting odds on Jurgen Klopp and the boys retaining the trophy they won so convincingly last term are 15/8 with Betfair, Paddy Power and Betway.
In terms of the transfer window, it looks likely to be a case of evolution rather than revolution when it comes to the Liverpool squad over the close season.
Rather than looking to add any marquee signings, the focus is set to be on providing greater depth and competition in a couple of positions (left-back for one), while replacing departing players in others, such as Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana for example, in one form or another.
Transfer Betting Odds
It’s even possible to have a bet on some potential transfers taking place, so it could well be worth checking out new UK online bookmakers at Freebets.com for all the latest transfer market odds and free bet offers.
Thiago Alcantra has been widely linked with a move to Anfield and the Spanish international is as short as 8/11 with William Hill to join the Reds from Bayern Munich.
Another player strongly linked with a move to Anfield is Norwich City’s Northern Ireland international left-back Jamal Lewis, who would provide a natural back-up to Andy Robertson. The Olympiakos left-back Kostas Tsimikas is seen as an alternative option should the Canaries refuse to drop their £20 million valuation for Lewis.
In central defence, the main focus appears to be on Aissa Mandi of Real Betis, although Diego Carlos of Sevilla and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Ben White, so impressive in the Championship for Leeds United last term, have also been linked.
Africa Cup of Nations Postponed
One significant bonus for Liverpool is that the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, which had been scheduled to take place in Cameroon between 09 January and 06 February 2021, has now been moved to January 2022 following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
That ensures the availability of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita for the season and that the need to find cover for the strike duo isn’t quite as pressing as it seemed a few months back.
There does appear to be genuine interest in adding some attacking width though, with Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ismaila Sarr of Watford and Harvey Barnes of Leicester City all having been reported as potential targets.
Transfer betting always comes with low stake limits from the bookies, which is understandable in a market prone to high volatility and inside information. Even so, it can certainly add some extra excitement to the summer months to have a few quid riding on a potential new signing for the Reds.
