Simon Hughes (Independent)

Who will win the league?

I think it's as wide open as it has been in the last few years actually. There's quite a few contenders. The two Manchester clubs, certainly. I think City will be better than they were last season and United you expect will be better. Jose Mourinho has got a track record of doing better in his second season, certainly in his last 10 years. If Liverpool can make one or two additions to the squad with players who are going to improve this team, I think they will be in the mix, Chelsea as well. I think it could be any one of those teams because the quality of those top teams is going to be really high this year. It will be interesting to see how the managers balance it with the Champions League, but if I was to give you an answer right now I think Manchester City's team and squad is probably just above everybody else.

Where will Liverpool finish?

I think they can win it. At the moment you are relying on no injuries because if that happens I think they will struggle to finish where they did last season. Their first XI I think is a very strong one and on their day they can beat anybody. I know there's a bit of panic amongst some supporters at the lack of more signings, but I think Klopp's got a lot of faith in the younger players coming through and he will give them a chance. I'm not saying that will win you the league but I think Liverpool have got a chance. I think they need to win something this season and it has got to be a priority. It's all about little steps and if they can do that this season and not take five or six steps back like they have in the past when progress has been made then that will be a good thing.

What do you think of the new additions to the squad so far?

Mohamed Salah is a really good signing. I know he didn't do that well at Chelsea but he's a different player now. Serie A has improved over the last five years and the standard is much higher and getting back to the way it used to be. I saw quite a lot of Roma last season, and I'm not just saying this because he has signed for Liverpool, but every time I saw him he was one of the best players on the pitch. He is very quick and he fits into what Klopp wants. Dominic Solanke has done brilliantly in pre-season. Whenever I've seen him play youth football I've always been very impressed by him, and it's just about opportunity and whether he has got that steel and mentality to play for Liverpool. Andy Robertson is a promising defender. A couple of years ago I used to cover a lot of Hull City games and he was their standout player. It's a clever signing. I don't want to say he is finally the solution to the left-back position because there's been so many players over the years at Liverpool who were said to have been that, but he could be a really good signing.

Surprise package team?

I think West Ham United will have a much better season than the last one and the signings of Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Javier Hernandez are good ones. I also think Leicester City will have a good season. They have bought well because a lot of their new players are big, physical Premier League-type players.

Player of the Year?

Philippe Coutinho. I think Klopp wants to play him the middle, which could really see him rise to the top-level footballer.

Relegated?

I think the three teams that came up will struggle and Swansea City will struggle. I will say Brighton, Swansea City and Huddersfield Town.

LFC player to watch?

Mohamed Salah. He is going to be an important player and he has the capacity to score a lot of goals as well as set them up. Two players I'm particularly interested in watching this season are Jordan Henderson and Emre Can. Jordan started fantastically last season and then got injured and I think Liverpool really missed him. Emre needs to have a strong season and step up a level because there's a lot of competition in that area of the pitch.

One hope as a reporter this season?

Most people know I'm a Liverpool supporter so it's for Liverpool to win the league! It's something I can't remember and every season you go in with the hope that it might happen. In terms of the way the game is reported I would like to report a bit less about managers moaning about referees. We've got to accept these decisions and it's part of football and ultimately that is what makes it the sport it is. I've witnessed a fair share of bad decisions go against my team but it's just one of those things and you can't dwell on it, and it is what it is. I think we are trying to search for perfection when it's not needed.