The new Premier League season begins this week.
Denied the top-flight title on the final day of last term, Jurgen Klopp's side will be out for revenge on this occasion. Manchester City are expected to be the team posing the biggest threat to hopes of securing the biggest prize in English football, but only time will tell regarding which side has what it takes to prevail as champions.
Renowned for being one of the most unpredictable leagues in the world, predicting how the campaign will play out is no simple task. But, here at the ECHO, we have attempted just that and have shared below what we believe will be in store during 2022/23.
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Tom Cavilla:
Where will Liverpool finish
1st. Finishing one point behind Manchester City will have hurt the Liverpool players, regardless of whether this sense of disappointment was downplayed by members of the first-team. The positive for Jurgen Klopp’s side is that they’ve been in this exact position before in 2018/19 and responded to missing out on the title by the tightest of margins by taking the division by storm the following campaign. I don’t anticipate the Reds will blow City away in the exact same style, but I fancy their chances. What could prove to be pivotal is the sheer number of players from Pep Guardiola’s side that will be competing at the winter World Cup and are likely to be fatigued upon their return. The likes of Andy Robertson, Joel Matip, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah will not be featuring at the major tournament whereas others who could be taken to Qatar such as Thiago and Trent Alexander-Arnold are unlikely to earn regular game time due to being out of favour at international level.
Liverpool player of the season
Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool forward looked back to his very best against Manchester City and stands every chance of replicating his form from the first half of last season now that speculation over his future has been settled.
Liverpool breakout star this season
Fabio Carvalho. It remains unclear just how big a role the teenage midfielder will have to play during his debut campaign at the club, but the early signs suggest Carvalho is ready to make his mark within the first-team. The former Fulham man has looked sharp in pre-season and should receive opportunities to prove his ability.
Premier League Golden Boot
Mohamed Salah, again. Many people will be backing Erling Haaland or Darwin Nunez to be picking up the Golden Boot, but I have a feeling another scintillating season from the Egyptian could be on the agenda.
Premier League Player of the Year
Without wanting to sound like a broken record, Salah. If Liverpool are to end the season as champions, it’s highly likely the 30-year-old will have played a major part in the club’s success. Trent Alexander-Arnold is another potential candidate for this prize. The 23-year-old seems to be improving year-on-year and is arguably the most influential player in the whole Liverpool squad.
Top four prediction
Liverpool (1), Man City (2), Tottenham Hotspur (3), Arsenal (4). Liverpool and Manchester City will finish comfortably ahead of the chasing pack once again. Tottenham Hotspur will make it back-to-back Champions League finishes, with their north London rivals joining them. Both teams have strengthened well this summer and look to be heading in the right direction afters years of turbulence. Chelsea risk being left behind after a relatively uninspiring transfer window while Manchester United’s rebuilding process is only just beginning under Erik ten Hag.
Bottom three prediction
Fulham (18), Southampton (19), Bournemouth (20). This season’s bottom three is one of the toughest to call in recent times. Fulham have a track-record of bouncing between the divisions, though look slightly better equipped to handle the jump in class on this occasion. I still believe the Cottagers will fail to beat the drop, along with a Southampton side who struggled badly at the back end of last season. Bournemouth’s squad is by far the weakest of the promoted sides. I’m also worried about Leeds United, who have lost Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips this summer. Nottingham Forest will survive.
Champions League winner
Liverpool will be there or thereabouts. It’s hard to look past Real Madrid after their run to the final last season, but I will go for Bayern Munich.
Ian Doyle:
Where will Liverpool finish
Second. This will be something of a transitional season for Liverpool, very much in the old school of the 1970s and 1980s when finishing runners-up was seen as a bit underwhelming. Times have, of course, changed somewhat since then, but the Reds team that ends the season is likely to be slightly different to the one that begins it. Having to integrate Darwin Nunez and a subtle new attacking style will have an impact, and that World Cup break will either help or hinder - we won't know for sure until it's upon us. But Manchester City still have enough to stay top and Liverpool will be fending off Tottenham Hotspur for second. Don't expect two teams to be on 90+ points this season, though. I wouldn't be surprised if nobody reaches that mark, in fact.
Liverpool player of the season
Mohamed Salah is one of the best if not THE best player in the world, so it's difficult to look beyond him. So I won't. Alisson Becker will also have another big season, while the World Cup could dictate just what Trent Alexander-Arnold and Thiago Alcantara get up to. I don't think we should underestimate what a good or bad tournament could do to a player - look at Salah and Sadio Mane last season.
Liverpool breakout star this season
Define breakout. If it means making a consistent contribution over the whole campaign having never done so before, there can be only one - Harvey Elliott. The introduction of five substitutions in the Premier League will mean a whole host of minutes for players otherwise loitering around the fringes, and I'd expect Elliott to be a more regular starter come the season's end.
Premier League Golden Boot
Salah will score a lot of goals but it won't be as many as either Erling Haaland or Harry Kane. Forget the Community Shield - Haaland will net a whole bundle of times for City. He's the choice and I for one am not going to argue with him. He looks scary.
Premier League Player of the Year
I actually don't think it will be a City or Liverpool player because some will become a bit blase about how good they are or the vote will be split. Instead, someone like Son Heung-Min might get the credit they deserve. As you can tell, I'm expecting big things from Tottenham this season under the wily Antonio Conte. They'd better not make me look foolish. That would be awful.
Top four prediction
I've already explained the top three so that leaves just one berth. Arsenal are, well, Arsenal, even if they can expect to improve further this season. It's difficult to judge Chelsea at present because they could easily make 10 signings between now and the transfer deadline. So, going on what we know, I fully expect Manchester United to be a lot better under Erik ten Hag (who I really like) and sneak fourth.
Bottom three prediction
Tough one, this, as there are a surprising number of iffy teams in the Premier League. Everton are one, but it looks like they are finally getting round to actually buying some players. Of the three promoted teams, Bournemouth look in trouble already while who knows what Nottingham Forest will end up being like given they've essentially had to bring in a new team. Fulham, though, have enough attacking threat to stay up. Southampton and Leeds United concern me, and Brentford could suffer second-season syndrome. So who goes? Bournemouth, Southampton and Forest. Not chosen because they are all miles away, honest.
Champions League winner
It's often all about the draw in Europe, and a bit of luck. With that in mind, Real Madrid surely cannot win it again. They just can't keep getting away with it. Liverpool will be disappointed if they don't reach the last eight, and I think the semi-finals will be their limit this season. Mane and Bayern Munich will prevail unless Pep Guardiola works out how to win the Champions League without Lionel Messi.
Paul Gorst:
Liverpool player of the season
I think a fresh contract for Mohamed Salah, coupled with a lack of involvement in the World Cup will see the Egyptian restart talks about him being the world’s best player at some stage this season. If the Reds are to win the biggest honours this term then Salah will be integral. Keep Thiago Alcantara fit and he won’t be far behind.
Liverpool breakout star this season
It’s all poised for Fabio Carvalho to take this particular award. The former Fulham teenager is primed to surprise many this season in his maiden term at Anfield.
Premier League Golden Boot
Mohamed Salah will once again contest this against the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son at Spurs. Erling Haaland will score too for Manchester City but Salah has every chance of winning this one for a fourth time.
Premier League Player of the Year
Kevin de Bruyne is one of the very best players world football and he will so important to Manchester City’s hopes. The same can be said of Mo Salah, of course. Phil Foden’s importance will grow at City too while Trent Alexander-Arnold will be massive for the Reds if you’re looking for slightly out-of-the-ordinary predictions.
Top four prediction
1) Liverpool, 2) Manchester City, 3) Chelsea, 4) Tottenham
Bottom three prediction
20) Nottingham Forest, 19) Leeds United, 18) Everton
Champions League winner
Bayern Munich
Theo Squires:
Where will Liverpool finish
Let's be optimistic. First. Missing out on the title by a point to Man City once was bad enough but twice? Liverpool will be desperate to bounce back and wrestle the title away from the Etihad. They produced the perfect response last time they missed out by such a narrow margin so fingers crossed they can do it again. If Mohamed Salah had reproduced his form from the first half of the season after his return from AFCON, the Reds could easily have taken the elusive steps needed in their quest for an unprecedented quadruple. With the Egyptian fresh after the summer, his future resolved and already in the goals for the new season, if he's fit and firing all year long, there's no reason not to be believe that the Reds can get the better of Pep Guardiola's side, in the race for the title at least, come May.
Liverpool player of the season
Mohamed Salah. Given how 2022 has gone for him, it's perhaps overlooked just how incredible his form was during the first half of the season before international heartache, fatigue and his contract status all played on his mind. He was the favourite for the Ballon d'Or after all, before the goals dried up. Having enjoyed his summer break and with his future resolved, plus the break he'll get mid-season with no World Cup, there's no reason not to back him to be back to his very best. He'll be hungry to get his hands on the Premier League, Champions League and Ballon d'Or and, with his contract handsomely rewarding him when he delivers the goals and assists, it could be one of his best seasons yet.
Liverpool breakout star this season
Fabio Carvalho. Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones should step up further this season but they've already shown glimpses of what they can do for the Reds. One year older and with five substitutions permitted across the board, fingers crossed they can reach that next level again. But Carvalho has caught the eye in pre-season and, following an impressive year in the Championship with Fulham, will be looking to take the top-flight by storm.
Premier League Golden Boot
I fancy Harry Kane to have a really strong season and renew his battle with Mohamed Salah for the Golden Boot. Erling Haaland will score goals for Man City, no doubt, but will be left just short behind the proven Premier League duo. Rose-tinted glasses on, let's go for the Egyptian King. Though he can happily miss out if he has his hands on bigger trophies come May instead.
Premier League Player of the Year
Trent Alexander-Arnold. He's won the lot and, at still only 23, is only going to keep getting better. He's got those team honours, about time he got some individual ones too.
Top four prediction
Liverpool and Man City will be first and second, in either order. Spurs' summer business has impressed me. Normally you'd write them off on the basis of still being Spurs, but they have a world class manager in Antonio Conte so might actually now be the real deal. They can take third and Chelsea's summer business should be enough to see them edge out Arsenal and Manchester United for fourth.
Bottom three prediction
Bournemouth are going straight back down if their summer business so far is anything to go by. They just don't look Premier League quality. Southampton will struggle too after a woeful season last year. I think Nottingham Forest's summer business, if the new signings gel, should keep them up with it between Brentford, who will struggle without Christian Eriksen, and Fulham for that final relegation berth. Leeds United and Everton will have to improve to avoid being dragged into it though.
Champions League winner
Sod it, let's go Liverpool. Real Madrid can't get as lucky as they did last year and while Bayern Munich have signed well in Sadio Mane, Matthijs de Ligt and Ryan Gravenberch, Robert Lewandowski will be a big loss. If Erling Haaland is an instant success, Man City have a chance but the Reds know what it takes to go all the way and will be looking to make up for last year's defeat in Paris.
Sean Bradbury:
Where will Liverpool finish
First. On paper, the World Cup looks like it will be a little kinder to Liverpool than City. That could be crucial in this season of two halves. Any stylistic teething troubles for Haaland will only help the Reds' cause further, while Salah and co can hopefully reduce the pressure on Nunez until he fully settles.
Liverpool player of the season
Torn between three candidates. Quite fancy Diaz to go up another gear - and Salah to hit his usual heights. But if Alexander-Arnold adds a few more goals to another big haul of assists, he will be the man to beat.
Liverpool breakout star this season
Carvalho. Exciting glimpses in pre-season and almost 3,000 minutes of league action for Fulham last term suggest he’s ready to break through. Five subs and the domestic cups will give him plenty of chances. He looks more than capable of taking them.
Premier League Golden Boot
The battle between Haaland and Nunez could be a really tight one…for second place behind Salah. He looks super sharp and gets a break to recharge when the World Cup is on.
Premier League Player of the Year
Trent, for the same reasons as above.
Top four prediction
1) Liverpool, 2) Man City, 3) Chelsea, 4) Spurs
Bottom three prediction
In no particular order: Leeds, Fulham and Bournemouth.
Champions League winner
Man City. Surely it has to happen at some point and their new recruits should be well settled for the knockouts, if not before.
Joe Rimmer:
Where will Liverpool finish
First.... or second. The ultimate s***house answer but I'm fascinated to see how Liverpool and Man City adapt to the changes they've made this summer. City's situation is even more intriguing than Liverpool in many ways because, in signing Erling Haaland and letting both Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus go, I wonder if they are going to give up a little bit of control on the pitch for more goals. That could potentially be scary for the rest of the Premier League, but there's no doubt it's a risk. And it's one that, if Liverpool adapt to having Darwin Nunez, the Reds could capitalise on. As for the chasing pack, well I can't see anyone improving enough to match City or Liverpool's consistency throughout the season.
Liverpool player of the season
Thiago Alcantara. He's such a stunning footballer and if he stays fit, he can make the whole Premier League sit up and take notice. Is there a better passer of the ball in the country when he's on song? I don't think so. And I think this could be the year we really see him shine.
Liverpool breakout star this season
I'm torn between Harvey Elliott or Fabio Carvalho because both look ready to force their way into Jurgen Klopp's thinking on a weekly basis, but I'm going to go with the new signing from Fulham because, just in the glimpses I've seen in pre-season, it looks as though Liverpool may have secured themselves one of the best young players in the country without much fanfare. Reminds me of Coutinho. Ian Doyle will be delighted.
Premier League Golden Boot
Mohamed Salah. I think Erling Haaland will score a lot of goals but never back against Mohamed Salah. The man is a machine and looked like he was on a mission against Man City. A determined and settled Salah spells danger for Liverpool's rivals.
Premier League Player of the Year
Another slightly cowardly answer but it really depends on who wins the Premier League but, should it be Liverpool and the rest of my predictions prove correct, then Salah. Or Thiago. Or maybe Luis Diaz. Virgil van Dijk. Or somebody from Man City. Kevin de Bruyne. It could be anyone really. This isn't really the point of predictions, I know.
Top four prediction
Liverpool, Man City (although not definitely in that order), Tottenham, Arsenal. Chelsea to implode. Man United to continue to flounder. I could be wrong. Don't share this on social media please.
Bottom three prediction
Bournemouth, Brentford, Leeds United. But Nottingham Forest and Fulham could go either way. And Everton need to improve a LOT. So that's six clubs. You might be getting the impression that I'm a little indecisive. Now, what's for tea?
Champions League winner
I can't see Real Madrid doing it all again. I never have faith in PSG. Bayern are looking stronger. So maybe them. But if not, Man City or Liverpool...Please don't ask me to choose.
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