Champion Liverpool has splashed out to defend its Premier League title, but faces stiff competition from an Arsenal side desperate to shake off the tag of "nearly men" and a rejuvenated Manchester City.

After storming to a record-equaling 20th English top-flight title in Arne Slot's first season in charge, Liverpool has looked to build from a position of strength during a summer marked by tragedy.

Portuguese forward Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident alongside his brother last month, plunging the club into mourning.

Tributes to Jota will continue throughout the season with "Forever 20" — his shirt number, which the club has now retired — printed on Liverpool's jerseys.

The Reds have already spent 260 million pounds ($350 million) on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

However, after the departures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, it is not yet done strengthening its forward line, and is expected to launch a fresh bid for Alexander Isak, with Newcastle demanding a British record transfer fee for the Swedish striker.

Liverpool's rivals will be hoping Wirtz and Ekitike take time to adapt to the rigors of the Premier League after shining in Germany's Bundesliga, while there are defensive questions for Slot's men to answer.

The Dutch coach said his side needs to defend better, after some leaky preseason performances were followed by defeat in the Community Shield to Crystal Palace on Sunday after twice blowing the lead.

Can Gyokeres fire?

After finishing second for the past three seasons, Arsenal is longing for its first title in 22 years and has backed Mikel Arteta, financing another near 200-million-pound investment in the transfer market.

Spanish international Martin Zubimendi will be the new anchor of the midfield, while the signings of Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga add depth to the squad.

But, Arsenal's season is likely to be defined by whether Viktor Gyokeres proves to be the answer to its need for a prolific striker.

The Swede struck 97 times in 102 games during two years at Sporting Lisbon, but the 27-year-old failed to make a breakthrough in the Premier League during his previous experience in England.

After coming up short at Brighton, Gyokeres scored 41 goals in 121 games in England's second tier with Coventry and Swansea.

"He's a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he's going to destroy you," Arteta said of his new striker.

City was dethroned last season after an unprecedented run of four consecutive titles, as the wheels came off for Pep Guardiola's men without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri.

The Spaniard has been ruled out until September, due to a setback in his return from a serious knee injury, but City has refreshed its squad with the additions of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.

After a first trophyless season since 2016-17, City expects to be back in the fight for the title.

World champion Chelsea

Chelsea was the last side other than City and Liverpool to claim the title back in 2017, and showed it is a rising force once more by winning the Club World Cup in the United States last month.

The Blues finished fourth, 15 points behind Liverpool last season, but their transfer policy of investing heavily in scores of young prospects is beginning to bear fruit.

Joao Pedro made an instant impact with three goals in three games at the Club World Cup following his 55-million-pound move from Brighton, and could solve Chelsea's need for a world-class goalscorer.

Manchester United has transformed its forward line with the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo after finishing 15th last season.

Beating United in the Europa League final was not enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep his job as Tottenham manager, and former Brentford boss Thomas Frank has taken over at the north London side.

Promoted trio Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley, meanwhile will be aiming to disrupt a worrying trend.

For the past two seasons, all three promoted clubs have gone straight back down, as the gap between the riches of the Premier League and the second tier continues to grow.

Grealish loaned to Everton

City winger Jack Grealish has agreed to join Everton on loan for the 2025-26 season, according to reports on Monday.

Grealish fell out of favor with City boss Guardiola last season and made just seven starts in the Premier League.

The 29-year-old was left out of City's squad for the Club World Cup amid speculation that he was set to leave the Etihad Stadium.

Everton has now agreed a deal for Grealish, who earns a reported 300,000 pounds per week, ahead of the new Premier League campaign, which starts for the Toffees at newly promoted Leeds on Aug 18.

The England international joined City from Aston Villa in 2021 for a then British record fee of 100 million pounds.

Grealish has won three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the FA Cup since arriving at the Etihad, but his form has dipped significantly since playing a key role in City's 2022-23 treble-winning campaign.

AFP