The favourites

LIVERPOOL

Ready for another tilt at glory

In five years in charge at Anfield, German technical-area livewire Jurgen Klopp has already snagged one Champions League trophy (2018-19), finished as runner-up in the same competition (2017-18) and achieved a silver medal in the 2015-16 Europa League. Given the Reds’ total domination of last season’s Premier League and the club’s long-standing love of continental head-to-heads, it would be a shock on a seismic scale if they did not progress deep into the 2020-21 edition.

Winning their first English league title in three decades has lifted a substantial weight from their shoulders. Yet don’t expect the waves of relief to reduce the drive, hunger and focus which Klopp has instilled in his dynamic charges. Klopp tellingly talks about being “in the middle of something”, of going for more titles. He has chosen his personnel carefully. No one will