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Liverpool gets the Premier League season underway on Friday, so it's last call for predictions. Ally McCoist has made his, and Arne Slot will hope it is a glimpse into the future.
The Dutchman is heading into his second campaign, this time with a Premier League title to retain. And Liverpool is the bookmakers' favorite to do exactly that, spurred on by new signings including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
But Liverpool is not the only club that has been busy in the transfer market. Manchester City looks almost unrecognizable from 12 months ago, Arsenal has added a new striker in Viktor Gyokeres, and Chelsea's recruitment has continued apace as well.
It's up for debate whether Manchester United or Spurs deserve mentions, having finished 15th and 17th respectively last season. But the Europa League finalists have also strengthened, while the growing presence of the less-established chasing pack has been a steady theme of the past few campaigns.
Ultimately, it should be an exciting season. But McCoist believes that Liverpool will come out on top once again.
"I think Liverpool will win the league again this year and Arsenal will finish second again," McCoist told Premier League betting site talkSPORT Bet. "I went the other way last year and had Arsenal winning it.
"But I just think Liverpool did some great business. [I'll be] even more confident [of] that if they make another signing before the window closes, but I haven’t altered my opinion."
Liverpool is indeed still looking to add to the squad before the transfer window closes. A move for Giovanni Leoni is almost complete, while Marc Guehi is of interest as well.
Adding two center-backs would address one of the few major flaws in the squad depth ahead of the new campaign. Having sold Jarell Quansah, Liverpool is currently only an injury or two away from a defensive crisis at any given time.
There's also, of course, the possibility that Alexander Isak might join before the end of the transfer window. That would change the game all over again.
But McCoist thinks Liverpool already has enough to come out on top. He has predicted one issue in particular will catch up with Chelsea and Man City:
"The Club World Cup will have an effect on Chelsea and Man City at some stage," McCoist warned. "I know they have big squads, but that was a long season.
"Chelsea will finish third, Joao Pedro will be a fantastic signing for them, they have got a bit of a bargain there. City will be fourth, which is a bizarre thing to say as that could come back and slap me in the face as they could easily go and win it.
"But with [Kevin] De Bruyne gone, probably at the right time to be fair, there is a bit of a worry about them defensively [as well], the fear factor is gone. So that’s why I have got them finishing fourth."
McCoist tipped Aston Villa for fifth, which has a good chance of again being enough for Champions League qualification. That's the only new entrant to the top five that the Scot has predicted, taking the place of Newcastle.
Liverpool, of course, would bite your hand off for these predictions to come to fruition. The club's ambitious transfer business is as sure a sign as any that the plan is to go and win the Premier League once again, but this is a division full of 20 ambitious teams — coming out on top once more would be a massive accomplishment for Slot and the team.
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