Liverpool and Manchester City remained the best two teams in the country last season by some distance.
The pair battled it out once again for the Premier League title and have added to their squads in the off season. It means they could well be even more relentless, which is a daunting prospect for the rest, who are trying to close the gap, when 2022-23 gets underway.
Both clubs have been calculated in the transfer market in recent years, with very few of their signings failing to deliver. They've also been able to add one or two players per year, rather than having to spend huge sums on several players to overhaul the starting XI - which is always a risky strategy and can often backfire.
Now they've added superstars like Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez - two men who've made their mark on the Champions League stage and now want to showcase their skills in the Premier League. The latter cost Liverpool a club-record fee whilst City were able to take advantage of Haaland's release clause at Borussia Dortmund.
It seems scarcely believable that two clubs, who scored 193 times between them last term, felt the need to add new forwards - City have also landed Argentine starlet Julian Alvarez - but that's exactly what they've done. Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have very few shortcomings in their respective squads, further underlining their quality.
But they always say the best time to invest is whilst you're ahead and the two clubs have done exactly that. Pre-season is now upon us but new signings can still be secured. Mirror Football has taken a look at how both sides could line-up come September.
Goalkeepers
The two teams are well set here, having signed their Brazilian shotstoppers within 12 months of each other. Both Alisson and Ederson can arguably lay claim to the title of 'most important player' such is their influence on matters up and down the pitch.
First and foremost, both excel at keeping shots out, something that can often go under the radar. Alisson in particular doesn't make many saves that look that startling, simply because his footwork and positioning are so good and he's rarely caught out of place. But it is their ability with the ball at their feet, especially in Ederson's case, which really helps to set them apart.
The City goalkeeper is the most comfortable 'keeper at playing out on the planet and perfectly suits Guardiola's style, while he can also drop a 60-yard bomb onto the toe of one of his forwards if the opportunity presents itself.
Defenders
Liverpool have added Calvin Ramsey from Aberdeen, although the highly-rated Scot is more of a long-term signing with the club's full-backs picking themselves in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. That looks unlikely to change for some time.
Virgil van Dijk is back to his very best and they now have some serious competition for the spot alongside him. Joel Matip has long been called upon but as last season went on, Ibrahima Konate continued to grow and may well be the man in possession of the starting jersey now. The former RB Leipzig man had an outstanding debut campaign. Whether Joe Gomez is still at the club next term is in question; the England international needs regular action, and right now, he's not going to get that as fourth choice.
City are in a similar boat, although a left-back does appear to be on Guardiola's radar. Joao Cancelo and Oleksanr Zinchenko have both operated there, but neither is really a natural and both prefer to play other positions - hence the interest in Brighton's Marc Cucurella. A £50m price has been quoted but, frankly, he will not be starting ahead of Cancelo during the big games.
That's because Kyle Walker is an ever present on the other flank, his athleticism and recovery speed still so, so important. Aymeric Laporte plays alongside Ruben Dias at the heart of defence, having usurped John Stones as the Portuguese's preferred partner last term.
Midfielders
Liverpool have made additions in the middle of the park, whilst City are hoping to. Fabio Carvalho, who admittedly is versatile, arrived from Fulham in the summer but is likely to be seen as a player for further forwards.
Klopp already has a host of midfield options but often rotates. Fabinho, when fit, is a guarantee whilst Thiago continued to grow and grow last term. Club captain Jordan Henderson has had injury issues in recent years and has Naby Keita, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones breathing down his neck for minutes. Next term could be a huge campaign for the latter pair.
At City, they are closing in on the signing of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United. A £45million deal looks to be near for the England midfield, who is set to play second fiddle to Rodri with Fernandinho now gone. Guardiola has always played with a single midfield anchor and the Spaniard, signed in 2019, commands the role and was outstanding last year. Either side of him Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan are largely faultless. Thus it will be interesting to see how Guardiola views Phillips and whether he, sometimes, chooses to play with two holders, or sees him in a more advanced role.
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Forwards
It is all change at Liverpool - and don't back against more happening. Once upon a time the forward line of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane seemed untouchable and destined to last forever. Now, the latter has gone, opting for a new challenge at Bayern Munich, while Firmino hasn't been a guaranteed starter for some time.
Salah has a year left on his deal with negotiations dragging on. He's said he'll stay put, but a major offer could tempt the Reds - however, does anyone have the cash? For now though he remains and is among the most potent attackers on the planet. He, alongside Darwin Nunez, will form a sensational attack. Luis Diaz is likely to get the nod over Diogo Jota, although Klopp will continue to share the workload around, particularly given the nature of next season, with the World Cup planted firmly in the middle.
City have often rotated their frontline, although that lack of regular minutes could see Raheem Sterling pursue a new challenge with his contract winding down. Gabriel Jesus has opted to do so, accepting that Haaland's arrival will hamper his involvement and choosing to move to Arsenal.
The Norwegian will provide Guardiola with a conventional No.9, something they haven't had since Sergio Aguero. Their playing style will alter slightly as a result but their threat from wide areas will remain with Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden likely to be the most utilised players in those areas, leaving Jack Grealish to play second fiddle again. New Argentine hitman Alvarez is tipped for big things, and could have a major impact.
