No.8: Steve Hothersall (Radio City)

Who’ll win the league?

Manchester City.

Where will Liverpool finish?

My heart would like to say Liverpool will finish in the top four but my head says they will finish fifth.

What do you think of the new additions to the Liverpool squad?

I think it’s a really interesting direction that Liverpool are taking this summer. Manchester United have gone for the big names, the marquee signings which are proven to work. Klopp is sticking to his own philosophy which we know has worked for him at Dortmund. The signings he has made aren’t unknown names. The likes of Sadio Mane, who could add a lot of goals and could add a lot of great value. I really do think he is a good addition to this squad. A lot of people speak very highly about Georginio Wijnaldum and I hope Liverpool have got a good signing there. He adds depth in an area that people are questioning in midfield, so it’s a good option. I think Joel Matip could be an excellent signing, he has a bit of physicality about him. But Loris Karius, for me, could be a huge signing. That is not in detriment to Simon Mignolet but the Belgian needs cover. I have got a lot of respect for Mignolet but he needs competition. This might be the thing that makes Mignolet into the full goalkeeper. People are assuming Karius will be the No.1 when he returns from injury but I’m in the camp that thinks Mignolet might just prove everyone wrong. The signing of Karius might just give Simon the extra kick he needs to step up a next level and I really hope so.

What are the expectations as Jürgen Klopp prepares for his first full season in charge of the club?

I think the expectations are that we see more of a Klopp side on a continuous basis. What we have seen so far is inconsistent showings of a Klopp side. There were times last season where we watched them and were blown away by Liverpool. The performance against Borussia Dortmund was wonderful and it was a great example of the high velocity and the determination to get over the line for the manager, the club and the fans. We saw that in a number of games but too often we also saw a Liverpool side that hadn’t changed enough. Now is the time when we need consistency and consistently performing to what the manager expects, and also the football we expect him to produce. The football that is Klopp as the template, we need to see that on a consistent basis from the very start, and given a long and gruelling pre-season schedule it might just happen straight away.

Surprise package team?

West Ham United. They can build on the progress they made last season. I think their move to the massive stadium is a wonderful time in their life. They have made good investment and the signing of Andre Ayew from Swansea City is a very good one. They have kept hold of Dimitri Payet, which is massive for them, and most of all they have managed to keep hold of Slaven Bilic. Don’t underestimate how big Bilic is for West Ham. I think in a football club’s life everything can come together at the right time and we have seen the start of that for West Ham. Someone very high up in the game said to me a few years ago West Ham are the next big team to make it big and we are starting to see that now.

Relegated?

Hull, Burnley and Middlesbrough.

LFC player to watch?

Marko Grujic. If he gets a chance in the Liverpool side he could be a special player. He is determined, a big lad and plays with a smile on his face and it will be interesting to see what his role in the side will be. I’d love to see Grujic make an impact.

One hope as a reporter this season?

My hope is that Liverpool can play in games to a level that has us believing we have made the next step, because there’s nothing better than reporting on Liverpool and watching their rise back to the position that we are all familiar with. I hope they can challenge with the other big teams and have them looking over their shoulder thinking we really do have to worry about a title challenge from Liverpool.