The ESPN FC panel answer your tweets on what they’re expecting from Liverpool this season, who should captain Arsenal and much more.
Mark Ogden thinks Man City are still the team to beat in the Premier League, but Liverpool have all the pieces in place to bring home the trophy.
Kevin Strootman must have been hit with pang as jealousy after seeing international teammate Georginio Wijnaldum training with former Roma teammate Alisson at Liverpool.
Alisson left the Italian capital to sign for the side the Gialorossi lost out in the Champions League semifinal last season. Wijnaldum posted a picture of himself with the Brazilian goalkeeper during a training session with the caption: “Great first training session with @alissonbecker.”
And a hurt Strootman commented: “You take our place in the final and now our goalie?” In truth the deal was completed weeks ago, but perhaps Roma’s Dutch midfielder had to see it to believe it.
With a week left to shed those final few pounds and ounces, Liverpool are currently in the act of finishing up their preseason training regime with a couple of friendlies against Napoli and Torino over the coming days.
Ahead of that, the Reds have travelled out to France to continue their preparations for the 2018-19 campaign at a picturesque sporting complex in Evian-les-Baines.
Many of the players began by welcoming one of their own back into their midst, with Trent Alexander-Arnold rejoining the squad after an extended post-World Cup break.
There were hugs and handshakes all round as the young defender arrived in the foyer at the club base, with fellow full-back union members Andy Robertson and Nathaniel Clyne first among the welcoming committee.
And of course, there was a mighty “Klopphug” waiting for Alexander-Arnold when he finally made it out onto the pitches.
The real work then began, with a brisk running session followed up by a nice relaxing cycle ride through the nearby rural villages.
Ever the rebel, Virgil van Dijk refused to follow safety protocol by not wearing one of the luminous yellow helmets provided for the players.
Liverpool are due to play Napoli at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this coming Saturday with a final friendly against Turin set to take place at Anfield the following Tuesday.
The new Premier League season then begins in earnest with a home match against West Ham on Sunday, Aug. 12.
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