Liverpool will embark on a new era next season after Jurgen Klopp stepped down as manager at the end of the previous campaign.
Klopp helped the Reds become contenders again in the Premier League, but the challenge of keeping pace with Manchester City ultimately drained his batteries.
Former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has replaced Klopp and will be tasked with building on the foundations laid by the German during his nine years in charge.
Liverpool will head into the new campaign as the third favourites to win the title behind Man City and Arsenal, but they will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds.
Fans inclined towards placing an online bet may view odds of 8/1 to claim top spot to be on the generous side given Slot’s track record in the Netherlands.
He led Feyenoord to the final of the Europa Conference League in 2021/22 before guiding them to the Eredivisie title the following season.
Slot added a KNVB Cup success to his managerial CV last term and will be eager to add to his tally once he gets his feet under the table at Liverpool.
While Liverpool may find it tough to overhaul reigning champions Man City, there are plenty of reasons to believe they can take second spot off Arsenal.
Seven points separated the two sides last season, with Liverpool’s tally of 10 draws ultimately scuppering their hopes of staying in the title race.
Klopp’s decision to announce his departure undoubtedly impacted the team’s performances, but there will be no such distractions next term.
Slot has made it clear that Liverpool will undergo evolution rather than revolution under him, which should be music to the ears of the club’s fans.
The team often prioritised intensity over possession under Klopp, but Slot will strive to implement a style which more effectively blends both elements.
The subtle tactical change could benefit Liverpool’s squad and gives them every chance of at least overtaking Arsenal next season.
Slot’s sensible strategy will also be applied in the transfer market, with the club unlikely to make too many moves during the summer window.
The futures of key players Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, whose contracts expire in 2025, will dictate the level of business done this summer.
Despite conflicting rumours in the media, a new centre-back is unlikely to be a priority unless Van Dijk suddenly decides his future lies elsewhere.
Slot may seek to add cover at full-back, while strengthening the squad further forward could be necessary if there are any outgoings.
Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Atlanta’s Teun Koopmeiners have been touted as possible summer signings, but both players could be tough to acquire.
Regardless of the squad’s composition, Liverpool should be aiming to finish higher than the third place they achieved last year.
With bookmakers offering one-third of the odds for finishing in the top two, backing them each-way at 8/1 could be a sensible play.
