It’s been a summer of change at Anfield with construction work being undertaken at the famous ground while ’s Liverpool squad is also being rebuilt.
Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner, Naby Keita and have all left the Reds and while the capture of and Dominik Szoboszlai look terrific value, more business needs to be done.
Fortunately for the Reds, hasn’t been tempted otherwise there would have been an even bigger gap to fill.
Liverpool are far removed from the team which was on the cusp of winning the Quadruple just a few seasons ago.
Despite Firmino and Sadio Mane’s departures they still look strong going forward with recent additions Darwin Nunez, Cody Gapko and Luiz Diaz joining Salah in a rebuilt attack which will be feared throughout Europe.
But the problem is the Reds rearguard is no longer the impenetrable force it once was.
Klopp needs a holding midfielder to protect a suddenly suspect back four and it is surprising Liverpool
The £50million asking price may be a tad steep but he looked the real deal in a side which was out of their depth as they sank to the bottom of last term’s table.
If Liverpool can sign the Belgian teenager or conjure up a move for a player of similar quality they look capable of climbing into the top four at the expense of Newcastle, who may take a step back when having to deal with the added demands of Champions League football.
The best price for the Reds to finish in the top four is a skinny 4/7 with numerous firms but the optimistic can back them at 3/1 with Betfred to finish top without Manchester City in the reckoning, while Liverpool are 14/5 to join Manchester City and Arsenal in the top three when all is done and dusted.
Salah is 9/1 third favourite with Paddy Power behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane to win the Golden Boot but the better option is to lump on him being Liverpool’s top scorer at 6/4 with bet365.
• Aston Villa’s upward trajectory under manager Unai Emery can continue this season and they are 3/1 with BoyleSports to finish in the top six.
• Coventry and Bristol City to win outright and Leicester and Leeds to triumph by win by more than one goal forms Wednesday’s League Cup yankee.
