No.4: James Pearce (Liverpool Echo)
James Pearce, Liverpool correspondent for the Liverpool Echo, gives us his thoughts on the season ahead.
Who’ll win the league?
Manchester City. With Pep Guardiola’s track record and what he achieved in Spain and Germany I think he will get City back on track.
Where will Liverpool finish?
Third. With the absence of Europe I do think that will benefit Liverpool domestically, just like it did when they nearly won the league in 2013-14. With the extra time Jürgen Klopp has with the players I do think he will make it count.
What do you think of the new additions to the Liverpool squad?
Decent. I think Klopp has addressed a lot of the weaknesses from last season in almost all departments. The squad looks strong, there are more players certainly going forward who fit the way he wants to play. Sadio Mane has been the most exciting player in pre-season, he is strong, powerful, quick and skilful – ideally suited to Klopp’s style. Georginio Wijnaldum has loads of potential and is still finding his feet a bit at his new club. He will have a big part to play this season. Ragnar Klavan has been really impressive and the squad is better going into the new season.
What are the expectations as Jürgen Klopp prepares for his first full season in charge of the club?
The expectation is, should be and I think will be, getting back into the Champions League. Last season was a strange one in many ways and such a gruelling schedule from when Klopp arrived and he inherited someone else’s group of players. It was almost a free pass in some ways when Klopp first came to the club in the sense nobody was going to judge him on last season. Liverpool excelled in terms of the European run. Domestically they were very inconsistent so the expectation this season has to be challenging for the top four and also have a good run in the domestic cups.
Surprise package team?
Middlesbrough. They have a really good manager in Aitor Karanka, who has done a very good job there and they have made some very astute signings in the summer. Of the three teams who have come up from the Championship, Middlesbrough look the best equipped to not just stay up but be competitive in the middle part of the table.
Relegated?
Hull, Burnley and Watford.
LFC player to watch?
Coutinho will be up there but I will go for Divock Origi. After the progress he made last season I am really looking forward to seeing his development again. He will have learned a lot from his first year in English football.
One hope as a reporter this season?
That the agenda is dominated by an exciting title race with Liverpool part of it, rather than talking about controversies or any other off-the-field issues.