With the new Premier League season set to kick off on Friday night, we asked a fan from each of the division's 20 clubs to share their hopes, expectations and predictions for the campaign ahead.

The squads have been shuffled and strengthened, the managers have had pre-season to prepare their teams and this weekend provides the first sign of how the next nine months might unfold on the pitch.

But how are the supporters feeling? We spoke to one from every side in the league to hear their thoughts on transfers, line-ups and what they expect from Liverpool.

Read on to enjoy the comprehensive preview to 2018-19...

Arsenal
By Daniel Masters

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

Intrigue is the strongest, which unsurprisingly makes a change. How the team’s identity is going to form under Unai Emery is going to be fascinating. So many failings in the past have, rightly or wrongly, been left at Arsene Wenger’s door over the past decade, so how Emery fares this season will arguably also impact how the Frenchman’s final years at the club are viewed. But it’s hard not to be excited by the prospect of a change. I’m not expecting us to be transformed into title contenders overnight, though.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

I think I’d probably have it at around seven out of 10. Business was done early, some key areas were filled along the spine of the team and there’s been a mix of experience with potential. You couldn’t really describe any of them as coups, though Lucas Torreira feels like an indication that we’re heading towards a more rugged and robust Arsenal.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

It’s obviously hard to speak with full confidence, after variations throughout pre-season, but something relating to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 seems the most likely, based on Emery’s past preferences. If that is the case, seeing how he looks to get the most out of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette will be interesting. Squeezing our two record signings into the same XI could be a challenge without wasting Aubameyang’s predatory nature in front of goal by farming him out on the left.

Who will be your most important player?

As January signings’ first few months are always a free hit in my mind, Aubameyang could provide the consistent firepower we need and shine if the new system suits him. There was some talk that Emery was a big fan of Aaron Ramsey, so if he could get the Welshman back to the level he showed a few years ago (and keep him fit), that would also be a massive boost. Though subsequent contract wrangling has dampened my expectations there!

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

To at least give Manchester City a run for their money. Hopefully Mohamed Salah sees no long-term impact from his shoulder injury, as replicating at least some of his form from last season will be key there. While Reds fans will no doubt laugh at the comparison, a dislocated shoulder caused Theo Walcott plenty of problems, both physically and mentally, when trying to play in a similar role. Fingers crossed that isn’t the case here, as whoever you support, you want to see the best playing at their best. But, unless City flag or lose their focus in defending the title, I do still think they’ll be a bit too good.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Salah is far too obvious a choice. As, I think, are any members of your front three. As a result, I’m going to go for Virgil van Dijk. The big Dutchman has really impressed and, seeing as we conceded an appalling 51 goals in the league, plugging that hole is certainly the key area for us to address.

Top four (in order)?

Manchester City
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United

Relegated?

Cardiff, Bournemouth, Huddersfield

Bournemouth
By Alex Deutsch

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

As usual, I go into the season with optimism. When Eddie Howe can get us clicking and firing, we’re really a great side. The problem is, that didn’t happen too often last season and we ended up limping over the line. The fact we finished nowhere near relegation shows that there is real quality in the squad and that if we can get a run of games in which we perform how AFCB fans know we can, it could be a great season. Our aim, though, is safety and that will be our main objective until our new stadium is built.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

As I write this, it’s been announced that a fee has been agreed for Jefferson Lerma, which I’m delighted about. We’ve been crying out for a player like him for years, who will sit alongside our creative midfielder Lewis Cook, breaking up play and allowing Lewis to play at his attacking and creative best. David Brooks from Sheffield United looks like a real steal from what I’ve seen in pre-season and Diego Rico should be the challenge to Charlie Daniels’ position that Brad Smith hasn’t managed to become yet. All in all, I’m really happy with the signings and think they show great intent from board and management.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

It might take a while for the new signings to bed in (Diego Rico joins us serving a three-game ban) but eventually: Begovic, S Cook, Ake, Mings, Smith, Lerma, L Cook, Rico, Ibe, King, Wilson.

Who will be your most important player?

Nathan Ake was our most important player last season. He scooped every award going and truly deserved it - a very gifted footballer. This season I think it’ll be Lewis Cook. If he improves and develops how he did last season, he could really be the difference between surviving and thriving.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

I’m terrible at losing but Liverpool demolished us twice last season and I ended up walking away admiring the football rather than anything else. The pace in attack is frightening and if Mo Salah can recreate last season’s form I can see Liverpool challenging for the league. I like what Klopp is doing at Liverpool, especially the development of the younger players; such as Trent Alexander-Arnold. It can only be good for England’s football team that there are more managers giving the younger players a chance and Klopp is at the forefront of this.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

I think any team in the world would want Mo Salah in their team right now.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Chelsea
Man Utd

Relegated?

Brighton, Huddersfield, Cardiff

Brighton
By Simon Tipple

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

I’m really looking forward to another season in the Premier League. Last season was an incredible experience and the club just feels so well run, with such a good relationship between the club, the players and the fans that I think we can be quietly confident about staying up again this season.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

It’s been really good. We’ve got most of our business done early, so no deadline-day panic. There’s only a couple of signings who look like they will quickly challenge the starting XI but we’ve replaced a lot of our back-up players from last season with exciting additions that will provide extra competition. We’ve also brought in a number of players for the future so it’s encouraging to see the club planning ahead.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

I’d expect it’ll be 4-4-1-1 again and you’d imagine the most regular XI would be: Ryan; Montoya, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Jahanbakhsh, Stephens, Pröpper, Izquierdo; Gross; Murray.

Who will be your most important player?

A few possible contenders. I’ll go with Pascal Gross. He got seven goals and eight assists last season and our biggest challenge will probably be scoring goals, so we’ll be hoping he can reproduce last season’s form. Jahanbakhsh will hopefully take on some of that burden but it may take him a little while to get used to the league and his new team.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

Progress. I felt Liverpool were a much better side than United and Spurs from our experience of playing against the top sides. I’d expect you to qualify for the Champions League comfortably.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

It’s pretty hard to look beyond Salah really isn’t it?! My heart would say Salah as it would be such a joy to watch him week in, week out. My head says Firmino as we’re quite reliant on Murray at the moment.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Tottenham
Chelsea

Relegated?

Cardiff, Huddersfield, Newcastle

Burnley
By Harry West

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

Hard to know what to expect! The Europa League is uncharted territory and the extra games would stretch our small squad, although I think that would only be an issue if we make the group stage. Europe or no Europe, I hope the fans aren’t expecting a repeat of last season... it’s hard to see us finishing seventh again.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

Sean Dyche tends to stick to 4-4-2. The back four of Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee and Ward picks itself although it’s a bit of a worry to see Nick Pope joining Tom Heaton on the injured list. Ashley Barnes usually starts up front alongside Chris Wood. Barnes spends the majority of his time being a massive nuisance, to great effect.

Who will be your most important player?

Johann Berg Gudmundsson. Robbie Brady is coming back from a serious injury so he’ll take some time to get going, and Gudmundsson will be our main creative threat. He gets better every time I see him.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

I fancy them for second. They’ve made strong signings in the areas they needed to. I can’t see anyone catching City but Liverpool look best placed to me. I think there’ll be a cup win this season too - not sure it will be in the Champions League, though.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Roberto Firmino. Sheer class, although oddly underrated.

Top four (in order)?

City
Liverpool
Chelsea
United

Relegated?

Huddersfield, Watford, Cardiff

Cardiff
By Richard Jenkins

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

Excitement at being back in the big time and trepidation about how we’re going to stack up against the competition. While we’re favourites to be relegated, the magic 40 points is possible. With all the promoted teams staying up and the standard of play at the bottom being poor last season, we have a chance. It’s not going to be pretty and we need some luck.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

Last time we gained promotion we tried to buy our survival, which went badly wrong. This time round the management and owners have recruited mainly from the Championship with no big egos. Although, we need a couple more Premier League-proven players before the deadline closes, especially when you see the names Fulham and Wolves have been able to bring in.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

Cardiff will play one at the top with a lot of young, hungry players, who defend and hit on the break. A sort of mix between Leicester and Burnley’s styles. Warnock will no doubt target specific games and try and close up shop against the top teams.

Who will be your most important player?

Captain Sean Morrison, controlling the team from the back and also supplying much-needed goals from set-pieces with seven last season. To stay in the Premier League, we’re going to need to grind out points, where players like Morrison will be key.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

I’ve really liked the transfer moves off the pitch, Liverpool now have the depth they needed last year to compete in all the different competitions at the same time. My only concern is getting all the new players to bed in, whereas the majority of the Manchester City squad have been together for quite some time now.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

You can’t look much further than the 32 goals of Mo Salah last season. 

As everyone will likely pick him, I’ve also been really impressed with Andy Robertson and expect him to kick on again this year.

Top four (in order)?

Liverpool
Man City
Chelsea
Tottenham

Relegated?

Watford, Fulham, Huddersfield

Chelsea
By Rachel Smith

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

I am excited by Sarri - he played some really attractive football with Napoli and it will be interesting to see how the change in shape will work in the Premier League. Other teams look to have strengthened, though, so top four will be as good as it gets this season, sadly.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

Jorginho looks a decent player, but if we do not sign a top-class striker then the window has to be a failure. We cannot compete with the teams around us if we only have Morata, Giroud and Abraham.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

Goalkeeper - Kepa

Defence - Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Alonso

Midfield - Jorginho, Kante, Fabregas

Attack - Hazard, Willian, Morata

Who will be your most important player?

Keeping Hazard is the most important thing, together with Willian confirming he wants to stay.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

Although it pains me to say it, I think they could be stronger again. There have been some interesting additions, which make the squad look even stronger, although I am not sure anyone will challenge City.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Salah is the obvious choice, but it will be interesting to see if he can reach the same heights this year. I really rate Firmino as well.

Top four (in order)?

City
Liverpool
Chelsea
United

Relegated?

Cardiff, Huddersfield, Brighton

Crystal Palace
By Paul Harper

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

I’m very positive. We’ve had a good window. I think we can be positive about the fact that we’ve got some solidarity in terms of management and backroom staff, which we haven’t had going into seasons previously. So, very positive.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

We left things late but had some prudent signings. So I’m really pleased with the signings. Meyer is going to fill the boots of Cabaye. Kouyate is going to step in for losing Loftus-Cheek. They’re a couple of decent signings, Meyer being a free transfer especially. I think they’ll both settle in nicely. So I’m really optimistic. And keeping Wilfried Zaha, he is obviously our talisman. We have done some good business and I’m really looking forward to the season.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

I think he’s going to go with Hennessey in goal, Van Aanholt left-back, Tomkins and Sakho in the middle, Wan-Bissaka right-back. In the middle, Milivojevic, Kouyate and Meyer. Then it’s going to be Zaha, Townsend and Benteke.

Who will be your most important player?

Wilf by a standout. He is so much stronger now and has just got so much confidence. His end product has vastly improved and he is invaluable to us.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

With the spending over the summer and the players you have brought in, your expectations have got to be competing for the title. I can’t see why not. The players you’ve brought in are really going to take you to the next level. I’d be very optimistic if I was a Liverpool fan. You’ve got every right to be competing for the title this year.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

I thought Shaqiri would be a great signing for Palace. He can just have that moment of real quality. He’s the kind of player who, in terms of Palace’s spending capabilities, would be the sort of player we could think about. He’s a great signing.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Tottenham
Chelsea

Relegated?

Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Southampton

Everton
By Clive Maiden

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

Trepidation. There is a big task ahead for the new regime and it will take time. I have faith in Silva and Brands and am hoping for something to shout about come the end of the season. But we’ve got a big rebuilding job to do and I don’t think Blues should expect too much this season. A push for seventh and that final Europa League spot would represent a successful season.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

At the time of writing, we have brought in Richarlison from Watford and Lucas Digne from Barcelona - two young signings of genuine quality.

In my opinion, we need three more signings: a centre-back, a creative midfielder and a striker. Will we get them? With time running out, it seems unlikely. I hope there is some business still to be done as we are still lacking. Fingers crossed for some last-minute incomings.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

Jordan Pickford is back from his heroics in Russia and will no doubt continue his form from last season as our No.1. Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Digne will make up our defence with space for a new centre-half.

Gylfi Sigurdsson will line up behind Tosun with Richarlison and Theo Walcott likely to be our wide men. I’d really like to see Lookman trusted as he is dangerously quick. Idrissa Gueye gives us legs in front of the defence with Morgan Schneiderlin and Tom Davies likely to battle it out for the remaining midfield slot.

Who will be your most important player?

For us to have a successful season, Sigurdsson is going to have to be on form. He was wasted out on the left for long spells last season but, with Wayne Rooney now in America, he will play in his preferred central role. If he is fit and firing, he can make things happen for us.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

I must admit, I’ve been really impressed with your business so far. You’ve made your moves early and strengthened the squad in key positions, particularly in central midfield and goalkeeper.

That being said, Manchester City remain the strongest side in the country and I can’t see anyone dethroning them just yet. I think they will win it with Liverpool impressing and finishing second. If any club can trouble Pep Guardiola’s men, it is Liverpool.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Most would say Mo Salah here and rightly so. His debut Liverpool season was quite incredible but, while I still expect him to be strong this campaign, I’m not so sure he can be expected to repeat his heroics.

Naby Keita would be my choice. He would be the perfect player to fit into our midfield and I can see him really winning over the Anfield faithful this year.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Man United
Chelsea

Relegated?

Cardiff, Huddersfield, Watford

Fulham
By Chris Randall

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

Excited. It’s great to be back in the Premier League. There’s a lot of optimism around the club after the run through the play-offs and win at Wembley. And there should be, as the new boys last year showed you can stay up and do well.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

Very pleased. It is shocking to look and see that Fulham are one of the top four spending clubs in the league as things stand. They’ve made great signings with Seri, Schurrle, Mitrovic and Mawson. However, we still really need a left-back to allow Sessegnon to move up and play on the left wing.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

4-3-3. Jokanovic is pretty hard in his beliefs to playing football, similar to Klopp. I don’t think he will shy away from that in the Premier League. He wants to play attacking football and keep possession, which comes from his time playing in Spain.

Who will be your most important player?

Mitrovic. To stay up and be successful you need to score goals. And hopefully Mitro can kick on from last season, where he scored 12 in 20 games for Fulham. I think he works perfectly in Jokanovic's system of a front three, which wasn’t the case at Newcastle with Rafa as he was asked to do too much as a lone striker.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

Second place. I think they have done exceptionally well this last year. They’ve essentially sold Coutinho for Van Dijk and Alisson, which should fix the problems they had last season at the back. I’m tempted to say they’ll win the league, but you have to say it’s City’s to lose. They are just so strong.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Can we only have one?! That’s tough, but I’d have to go with Van Dijk. While I’d love to have Salah, Firmino or Mane, I don’t believe we should struggle to score this year with the style the manager wants to play. I’d rather shore up the back and VVD oozes class and leadership.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Tottenham
Arsenal  

Relegated?

Cardiff, Watford, Huddersfield

Huddersfield
By Wil Longbottom

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

Excited optimism again really. The results that got us over the line at the end of last season are still fresh in the memory and it feels like we’ve strengthened without losing any of our key players. That said, I think it will be harder for us to stay up again this season.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

Town fans trust in Wagner. You have to when you see what he’s achieved. I was delighted we signed Kongolo permanently in defence, and one of our main weaknesses last season on the wings has been addressed with Sobhi and Diakhaby. Wagner signs young hungry players with room to improve, so it’s exciting. Goals are the issue, I would like to see another striker with some real pace, but they don’t grow on trees!

How is your team likely to line up this season?

We will be 4-2-3-1 like last year. That’s how Wagner likes to play and it’s been good for us. Expect us to also play 5-3-2 against some of the better sides too, particularly away.

Who will be your most important player?

Aaron Mooy. He makes us tick, when he’s on it so are we.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

A strong season, challenging up at the top but not sure anyone is catching Man City!

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Firmino. Underrated player.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Man Utd
Chelsea

Relegated?

Cardiff, Watford, Bournemouth

Leicester
By Steve Bennett

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

As with any new season I’m feeling fairly positive. We had a poor second half to last season and the majority of the club’s supporters were a little despondent we couldn’t grab a place in Europe. We’ve been heading through what seems to be a transition in the way we play, we’ve been used to defending resolutely and hitting teams with quick breakaway football, but for whatever reason our current coaching set-up feel we need to play more possession-based football to progress and last season was spent trying to implement that style. Hopefully, now Claude Puel has had a full pre-season to mould the team the way he wants, we can kick on and try to compete for a top-eight place. The one piece of Puel’s philosophy I quite like is the introduction of young players coming through the academy and it looks as though we will see progression on that front.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

Our owners have been absolutely superb since they took control of the club. They have done nothing but invest in the club and players over the past few seasons and do not like bowing to the pressure when a top-four side comes knocking on the door for our better players.

Unfortunately, we’ve had to let Mahrez go over this close season but that deal was done over four transfer windows due to the owners only doing business on their terms. We need to keep hold of Maguire if we really want to show the ambition to push on and hopefully we will.

Of the players that have come in, Maddison looks like a great buy from Norwich, the others are a bit of an unknown quantity but hopefully they’ll hit the floor running.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

A lot of supporters think at some point we will develop into a 3-5-2 formation with the players we currently have, even though our traditional 4-4-2 has been played in the pre-season friendlies. It’s hard to predict the team at this moment in time as we do have what appears to be some good options, however, the spine will definitely be based around Schmeichel, Maguire, Ndidi and of course Vardy.

Who will be your most important player?

The team’s ethos over the past few seasons has been based around Vardy with his enthusiasm and never quit attitude, which rolls over into the stands. He is still a massive part of this club and I can’t see this changing much in the short-term. Maguire will be another very important player for us and if I’d been the manager this season he would be my captain.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

Looking at the way Klopp has now got them playing there is no reason why they shouldn’t be challenging Man City for the title. From an outsider’s perspective I like the way they play - it reminds me of our title-winning year.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Fairly obvious really - Salah. But I do like the look of both Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Chelsea
Leicester (!!!)

Relegated?

Cardiff, Newcastle, Huddersfield

Liverpool
By David Beattie

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

I can’t wait for the season to get here; it’s been a long summer after disappointment in Kiev. The way the club have strengthened over the last few months has also meant that excitement has gone through the roof.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

Very pleased, it’s hard not to be given the players who have arrived. Keita looks like he will add a new dimension to the midfield. The Fabinho deal shocked a few people, but it’s nice to have a proper holding player back in the middle. A top-class goalkeeper in Alisson and goals from midfield in Shaqiri also help alleviate a couple of last year’s issues too. I think we’ve had a great window.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

I’d imagine we’ll be 4-3-3 for the most part. The front three (Mane, Firmino and Salah) pretty much pick themselves.

Across the rest of the squad, it will be interesting to see how a few familiar faces are deployed this year after welcoming new arrivals. Henderson could be moved slightly further forward given the arrival of Fabinho, who I’d anticipate to operate in a holding role. Gomez looks likely to be moved to centre-back now that Clyne is back to compete at right-back.

Imagine our first XI would be: Alisson, Trent, Robertson, Van Dijk, Lovren, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Mane, Firmino and Salah.

Who will be your most important player?

Pretty much answers itself after last season! Mo Salah was out of this world last year, so all eyes will be on him to see if he can maintain his dizzying goalscoring record.

That said, to compete this year we’ll need a big season from players throughout - not least through the spine of the team. There’s a lot of money through the middle of the team, so expectations on Alisson, Van Dijk, Keita and Firmino will be high.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

A title challenge. It’s hard not to given how they’ve strengthened this summer.

I think City will probably win it, but we need to be a lot closer to them than we were last year.

I’d expect them to get far in one of the cups too. Last year’s route to Kiev in the Champions League was incredible, but was lacking in the one small detail of actually winning the thing. The recent run of final defeats is becoming a bit of a distraction, so it would be nice to see them finally lift something.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Chelsea
Tottenham

Relegated?

Cardiff, Huddersfield, Southampton

Manchester City
By Dan Burke

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

I’m a little apprehensive actually. City’s domination of the league last season was ridiculous, but I think it’s going to be a lot tougher for us this time around and I’m not convinced we will retain the title at the moment. Pep Guardiola is a genius and we will undoubtedly be a joy to watch again, but I worry our lack of strengthening in the transfer market, combined with how much stronger Liverpool should be, could come back to haunt us.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

I’m not thrilled, to be honest. Riyad Mahrez is a very good player and I’m sure he’ll prove to be a good addition to the squad, but I’m not sure we were really crying out for a player like him. We needed another holding midfielder more than anything and losing out on Jorginho to Chelsea was a bitter blow, because he would have been perfect. Guardiola seems like he’s happy enough with the tools at his disposal, but I fear we’ve been a bit complacent and not built on last season’s success.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

Our best XI is probably: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Stones, Mendy, Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling, Sane, Aguero.

Who will be your most important player?

Kevin De Bruyne. He was the best player in an incredible team last season and if he can carry that form into this one, City will be a real force to be reckoned with. I’m not sure there’s a more complete footballer on the planet than De Bruyne and I hope he stays with us for the rest of his career.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

Big things. I was very impressed with you last season and the business you’ve done in the transfer market this summer has strengthened your weak points and sent a big message out not just to the rest of the Premier League, but the rest of Europe too. If you can keep up your record against the big teams and convert some of those frustrating draws and defeats against the so-called lesser sides into wins, I see no reason why you can’t win the title.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

The obvious answer is Mohamed Salah but most people will probably say him, so I’m going to be a little different and say Naby Keita. I saw him play a few times for RB Leipzig and was really impressed. He’s a very complete player who can do a bit of everything and I think he’d slot in really well at City.

Top four (in order)?

Manchester City
Liverpool
Chelsea
Arsenal

Relegated?

Cardiff, Bournemouth, Watford

Manchester United
By Ian Farrow

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

Not excitement, that’s for sure. Trepidation? Worry? Dread? There’s been so much negativity around the club during a lacklustre pre-season that as a fan I just don’t get a sense that this year is going to be successful. The worst thing is that all of the negativity is coming from the one person who should be inspiring his players and getting them to believe in themselves. It feels like he’s making his excuses already rather than building something. This might all disappear if we manage to start well with convincing wins against Leicester and Brighton, but if not I think everything could unravel very quickly.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

A bit underwhelmed, to be honest, although we do have a very strong squad already that should be fully capable of mounting a challenge. We definitely do need to sign a strong, reliable, ball-playing centre-back and so far that’s not materialised. If we manage to wrestle Harry Maguire from Leicester then he could fit the bill, but I can’t help but feel that we should have identified and secured all of our targets before the World Cup even started rather than reacting afterwards with a ‘who played well?’ attitude and having to break records to bring in players that would have cost half that three months ago. Fred is proven and should do well and he’ll help bolster our midfield. Diogo Dalot is like Lindelof last year and looks like one for the future. And in Lee Grant we’ve got ourselves a good solid Lee Grant.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

It depends on who comes in and goes (Pogba to Barca rumours are swirling as the transfer deadline looms) but with the current squad, I think it’ll be something like: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Young, Fred, Matic, Lingard, Pogba, Sanchez, Lukaku.

Who will be your most important player?

Aside from De Gea I’d say Lukaku. He’s got to step it up this season and improve on his goal tally from last year. He’s fully capable of being the top scorer in the Premier League if he’s used in the right way and puts the effort in.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

As much as it pains me to say it, I really think you’ll come close this year - especially after signing Alisson. But ultimately I expect City to pip you to it and you’ll finish second.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Based on last season, it’s got to be your Egyptian king hasn’t it? He’s scarily good at times and would definitely improve our attack, that’s for sure!

Top four (in order)?

City
Liverpool
United (ambitious)
Spurs

Transition seasons for Chelsea and Arsenal could help us out.

Relegated?

Brighton, Huddersfield, Cardiff

Newcastle
By Matt Ketchell

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

It’s disheartening and worrying that we’re being vastly outspent by the likes of Wolves and Fulham. That said, Rafa seems to be working harder than ever with what he’s got and the team spirit that got us to 10th is still in evidence. There’s a real edge among fans, though. Rafa’s deal runs out next summer and we’re worried he could leave at any minute. We have one of the hardest starts too: Tottenham (H), Cardiff (A), Chelsea (H), Man City (A), Arsenal (H).

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

Rafa is clearly having to settle for players way down his list: loans and young players under £10m. We really need centre-back cover as Florian Lejeune has done his cruciate and won’t be back until February at the earliest. Hearing good things about Fabian Schar, who started for Switzerland at centre-back at the World Cup, we’ve signed him for £4m from relegated Deportivo. We’ve also signed Yoshinori Muto from Mainz for £9.5m, he played one game for Japan in Russia.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

Dubravka, Yedlin, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Diame, Shelvey, Ritchie, Perez, Kenedy, Joselu.

Who will be your most important player?

Ayoze Perez. He scored six goals and registered two assists in his last eight games for us last season. He finished as our top scorer with 10 goals in all competitions. Things finally clicked for him in the No.10 role. He’s had a full summer off and if he gets goals early on in the season and stays injury-free, I can see him getting 15+ goals. We need him to stay on his feet more and protect the ball a bit better. The nature of his position on the pitch means he has defenders and midfielders closing him down from all angles, meaning he often risks losing possession. He’s a good fantasy football shout, but we have that tough run of games to start!

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

A big title challenge. They have done great business early on so Klopp will have more time with the team. The big signing for me is Alisson. If he can have the type of season Ederson had at Man City last year, Liverpool will be a serious force. There’s strength in every area on the pitch. Van Dijk is one of the best in the world in his position, there’s two great full-backs, Keita I watched in person last season - he’s like a more offensive Kante, very impressive. The forward line is ridiculously dangerous too. A lot of pressure on Salah, though. I’d be worried about him suffering second season syndrome.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Has to be Salah, doesn’t it? He’s a heady mix of Peter Beardsley and Hatem Ben Arfa - two cult heroes on Tyneside. Having that ‘edge-of-the-seat’ type player in your team is priceless.

Top four (in order)?

Liverpool
Man City
Man United
Chelsea

Relegated?

Bournemouth, West Ham, Cardiff

Southampton
By Stuart Howden

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

I have little bit of trepidation for the upcoming season after the disaster of last season and our pre-season friendlies. Mark Hughes inspired a squad that was devoid of passion and teamwork at the end of last season and I think the squad will really respond to him again this season. So I’ll be expecting a much more attacking style than what we got from Pellegrino but I’m concerned by our defence. We’ll need to score goals every game to offset the goals we concede if pre-season is anything to go by. Could be pretty exciting.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

I’m generally happy with the transfers we’ve made to date, we’ve replaced outgoing players with equivalent younger versions. Stuart Armstrong has looked a really good buy so far and I think he’ll be a big hit for us this year. Vestergaard also looks like he’ll be good for us too. Bit concerned with our striking options, though, we’ve let Carillo go out on loan, and have very little left in the goalscoring department. I’m hoping we sign a quick striker to partner Gabbiadini up front before the window closes.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

(3-4-3) – McCarthy, Hoedt, Vestergaard, Stephens, Cedric, Romeu, Lemina, Bertrand, Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Gabbiadini.

Who will be your most important player?

It’s either going to be a defender or a striker, with the way we’re playing at the moment. I think that Vestergaard will prove to be our most important player holding our shaky defence together, which will be key to us winning games. Then again, maybe it’ll be Gabbiadini, we need his goals…

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

I think Liverpool are going to have a good season this year, they had a good team last year, but have added some really good players to their team so far. Keita and Alisson both look great and address key positional issues Liverpool had. I was spot-on with my prediction for Liverpool last year (top four and a long run in the Champions League) and think they’ll do the same again - good run in the Champions League but will also push for the title too.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Sadio Mane. I would love to have Mane back, he was a great player for us and is for Liverpool too. We’ve never managed to replace him and he’d be brilliant alongside either Gabbiadini or Austin.

Top four (in order)?

Manchester City
Liverpool
Manchester United
Chelsea

Relegated?

Cardiff, Huddersfield, Watford

Tottenham
By Robert Tammaro

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

I’m excited for the new season, especially as we will be heading to our new stadium. But I do feel that this season will be a tough one for us with our squad being fairly thin and no new additions to freshen us up.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

The strength of the current team is great, with nine of our players being involved in the semi-finals of the World Cup - more than any other club in the world.

But it’s disappointing we haven’t added to the squad so far, as I feel we need a strong midfielder and a centre-back.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

I think we will continue as we were last season - a back three with the full-backs playing high up the pitch and Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen pulling the strings.

Who will be your most important player?

Harry Kane is obvious, but Eriksen on his day makes us tick.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

I expect Liverpool to be Man City’s closest rivals for the title this season. Anything below second I’d see as a disappointment.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Sadio Mane - we should have signed him from Southampton when we had the chance.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Manchester United
Chelsea  

Relegated?

Cardiff, Watford, Huddersfield

Watford
By Ollie Gandy

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

Less nervous than usual given we’ve had some continuity this summer. Gracia is the first manager to have a full pre-season (i.e. bridge two seasons) since Zola in 2013. We’ve got a decent squad and this is our fourth season in a row in the top flight, but this is Watford so who knows what the season will bring!

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

Fairly. Like last summer, we sorted our transfers out early. We’ve strengthened where we needed to and selling Richarlison for £44m was a great piece of business and exactly how the Pozzo model works. I’d like another striker but they don’t come cheap and it looks like Deeney, Gray and Success (remember him?) have been doing well in pre-season.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

4-2-3-1 most probably, although Gracia has flirted with 4-4-2 in some of the pre-season friendlies.

Partnerships on the field will be essential so I’m hoping Kabasele and Cathcart can continue their end-of-season form, and Chalobah’s return from injury will see him start next to Doucoure in central midfield. If they can stay fit that will be a very exciting, dynamic pairing.

Who will be your most important player?

Doucoure - our fans’ and players’ player of the season in 2017-18. A proper box-to-box midfielder who’s just signed a new five-year contract. When he plays well, the team plays well (nine times out of 10).

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

More of the same with fewer goals conceded. It should be fun to watch!

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

Do you have to ask? Salah, obviously.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Chelsea
Arsenal

Relegated?

Huddersfield, Newcastle, Cardiff

West Ham
By Vinny Genco

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

For the first time in many years I’m actually feeling really optimistic about the new season. With Pellegrini in charge we’ve got a proven Premier League manager who (even though it was with City) plays decent football and tries to get his teams playing the right way.

The squad is looking like the best that we have started a season with since I can remember and it looks like we have decent depth in positions which we haven’t always had. Pellegrini seems to have identified the players he wanted early on and got them in quickly, very similar to what Liverpool have done.

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

Ecstatic! A bit of credit has to go to the board for actually spending some money and spending, it would seem, wisely. Even though we have got a few players in, it seems like we have got quality players in positions where we were struggling in the past.

Felipe Anderson looks like an exciting player and getting Wilshere on a free looks like a great piece of business as long as he can have an injury-free season. Personally, I think the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini was one of the best pieces of business that we have done.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

4-3-3. Fabianski, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Wilshere, Noble, Rice, Antonio, Felipe Anderson, Arnautovic.

Who will be your most important player?

Marko Arnautovic! Last season he carried the team with his goals and hopefully with the supply he will be getting from Anderson, Yarmolenko, Antonio and Wilshere, we will see a lot more.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

To be challenging for the title and pushing Manchester City until the end. They have made quality signings and seem to have strengthened in all the right areas. Having seen a lot of Alisson last season it looks like you’ve got a fantastic goalkeeper, and Fabinho and Naby Keita would improve most midfields in world football.

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

I really like Andrew Robertson and think he would be a quality addition, but how can I say anyone except Mo Salah?

Top four (in order)?

Manchester City
Liverpool
Tottenham
Arsenal

Relegated?

Cardiff, Huddersfield, Southampton

Wolves
By Ian Evans

What are your feelings ahead of the new season?

I’m delighted to be going up as champions. I loved our style of play and formation last season and hope we can continue that into the Premier League. I, and I think most Wolves fans, are very hopeful that we can make ourselves a mainstay in the division for a long time to come. We play Everton at Molineux in the first game of the season, so hopefully we can get off to a 4-0 flyer (I’m sure you’re with me on this).

How pleased are you with your transfer business?

I haven’t bought into the Sky Sports hype that we have been spending loads of money to improve the team. Lots of the signings we have made (Jota, Boly, Bonatini, Vinagre) were last season’s loan signings with an option to buy.

We’ve made four major signings so far that are new this year: Joao Moutinho (£5m), Rui Patricio (free subject to tribunal), Raul Jimenez (loan) and Jonny Otto (loan).

I’m very happy with Moutinho, possibly the most influential of the bunch, sitting in nicely next to fellow compatriot Neves, passing on plenty of experience with over 100 international caps. Also happy with Rui Patricio. A quality goalkeeper, with experience of winning tournaments with Portugal too.

We could possibly still do with a new centre-back and I’m unsure of Jimenez and Bonatini as our strikers for the season. Jimenez didn’t look all that in the World Cup for Mexico and Bonatini dried up for goals in the second half of the season in the Championship. Hopefully they prove me wrong.

How is your team likely to line up this season?

We play a 3-4-3 formation with wing-backs, it can be strong defensively while also being dangerous going forward.

Predicted line-up: Patricio, Boly, Coady, Saiss, Dougherty, Otto, Neves, Moutinho, Costa, Jota, Jimenez.

Who will be your most important player?

Tough one. Neves would be the obvious choice but Conor Coady springs to mind, he is our captain and has managed to gel the team together so well. Most Liverpool fans will know him, because he was from your Academy. We’ve turned him into a centre-back, surprisingly. But he is very committed and good at starting plays from the back. Scouser too, so you know, sound.

What do you expect from Liverpool this season?

Big things! As a Wolves fan living in Liverpool, I enjoyed their Champions League run last season. There is no doubt you are one of the most entertaining teams in Europe at the moment. With the additions of Keita, Alisson and Fabinho, I think you have improved in all the right areas. Hopefully you can turn the style of play into silverware this season, although Manchester City are going to be tough to stop.

We play you in the last game of the season at Anfield, so hopefully you’ve wrapped the title up by then, because I would hate for us to be the team to throw a spanner in the works!

If you could have one Liverpool player in your team, who would it be?

The obvious answer would be Salah, because he is incredible. But what Wolves are missing is a top quality No.9, and I think Firmino is one of the very best. I was so surprised he was on the bench for Brazil in the World Cup, every time he came on he would change the game and suddenly Brazil would look dangerous. Thy way he brings people into the game, his finishing and his smile would all be very welcome at Molineux.

Top four (in order)?

Man City
Liverpool
Man Utd
Spurs

Relegated?

Cardiff, Huddersfield, Watford

All opinions expressed in this article belong to the individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club