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With the first international break of the new Premier League season upon us, there's a moment to look back on Liverpool's opening few games of the campaign.
The Reds entered the season determined to retain their crown and have been busy in the transfer market to support that ambition. Players such as Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong will be accompanied by deadline day acquisition Alexander Isak following the international break.
The former Newcastle striker sealed a switch to Anfield before linking up with the Sweden national team. Despite the absence of the forward from its squad, Liverpool has begun the season flawlessly under Arne Slot in terms of results.
Late victories against Bournemouth and Newcastle were succeeded by a 1-0 triumph over title rival Arsenal last weekend. This means that Slot's players have secured all nine points on offer from their opening three matches.
It sees them perched at the summit of the table as the sole remaining side with a perfect record. As always, the 2025-26 campaign is anticipated to deliver some surprises and drama throughout. But what might the season resemble when May arrives? Here's an examination of some forecasts made by pundits in recent weeks...
Title defence
Speaking to the Daily Mail before the season, former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch backed his former club to retain the title this time around.
"I think they've signed well. I think they won it at a canter last year," he said. "I think the other teams have closed the gap well, but I think Liverpool will have just enough. Especially if they sign one more centre forward. Adding Isak to the list would seal the deal."
Speaking to BBC Sport before the season, 21 of the 33 pundits named Liverpool as their title winners. One of those was former Premier League striker Troy Deeney, who explained: "Liverpool have got already better in every area.
"I know they have lost Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Jeremie Frimpong is just as good at right-back - not with his passing range, but they don't need that with the other players they have got. Up front, they won the league last year without having an out-and-out number nine. They have still got Mohamed Salah and now have Hugo Ekitike, and potentially Isak too."
Wayne Rooney was in agreement: "I already have Liverpool as favourites to win the Premier League, but if Isak comes in then they are going to be unstoppable. A big thing was them replacing Alexander-Arnold, because a lot of their chances and goals came from that right side, but I think Frimpong has got the attributes to go and fill that."
Outstanding players
As part of his predictions, Crouch also named two Liverpool players who could be outstanding in the Premier League this season. He named Mo Salah as his golden boot winner, with Florian Wirtz as his player of the season.
On the golden boot, he said: "I think it's between two, Erling Haaland and Mo Salah but I'm going to go for Salah. I think it'll be someone from the winning team and I think Liverpool are going to win the league."
And on the player of the season: "I also think the Player of the Season will come from the winning team, so I'm going to go with Florian Wirtz. I think he'll be class this season and I'm looking forward to seeing him."
Florian Wirtz impact
Speaking of Wirtz, he has also been singled out by former Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler as the player to keep an eye on this campaign. Chatting to talkSPORT ahead of the season's kick-off, he remarked: "I think he's a player Liverpool have lacked.
"He is a player who can unlock defences. I know it's tongue in cheek saying you put your neck on the line because they've spent £100m, but he's been prolific.
"His assist record at Leverkusen has been outstanding, he's been one of the top players for Germany. There's no guarantee he's going to set the Premier League alight, but he's a player I want to see. He's an exciting player, and I can't wait to see him."
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