crammed in after a delayed start. Yet
they are susceptible to rustiness and
a lack of fluidity when they don’t have
games in their legs, as evidenced by
their patchy form both post-lockdown
and after the mid-season break
inJanuary.
They were also guilty of an
overreliance on their full-backs,
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy
Robertson, though this may be
remedied by the promotion of
academy product Neco Williams
and new signing Kostas Tsimikas, an
£11.7 million arrival from Olympiakos.
If other managers can learn from
Klopp, it is in the way that he identified
Liverpool’s biggest weakness and
improved it, even at the expense of
positives. The Reds’ defence was the
best in the league in 2019-20, yet their
famed front three had their lowest-
scoring league season since they
began playing together – Roberto
Firmino didn’t even score his first
league goal at Anfield untilJuly.
The side that can address their own
weaknesses best will be the most likely
to close the gap. Manchester City have
moved to strengthen their “glass jaw” by
adding Bournemouth defender Nathan
Ake; United, on the other hand need to
be better at breaking down deep-lying
defences, hence their interest inJadon
Sancho andJack Grealish. Chelsea’s
young side are already due to improve
by virtue of another year’s experience,
though they also need to concede fewer
goals and may replace goalkeeper Kepa
Arrizabalaga in order to do so. Like
Manchester United, Tottenham need
more variety in attack to overcome
stubborn defences, and also cover for
the fragile Harry Kane. Arsenal have
the most ground to make up, but have
finally shown signs of being able to take
points from their top six rivals, and with
more consistency can be a force once
more. The experience of ex-Chelsea
winger Willian will be a helpful mentor
for emerging stars like Gabriel Martinelli
and Bukayo Saka.
Leicester City fans will rightly bristle
at their exclusion from the Big Six. In
terms of league titles, they have been
more successful than Tottenham and
Arsenal in the last ten years, and
equally as much so as Liverpool, while
Manchester United and Chelsea only
just pipped them to the top four.
If Brendan Rodgers can identify thecause of their collapse in form,
and continue to get the best out
of 33-year-old Golden Boot winner
Jamie Vardy, the Foxes will certainly
be contenders again.
For Wolves, Sheffield United and
Burnley, their ability to close the gap
to the top seven will depend on their
managers. All three – Nuno Espirito
Santo, Chris Wilder and Sean Dyche –
have rightly received huge praise, butthe question of how much further they
can take their teams remain, particularly
with so many other clubs believing they
belong in the top half of the table too.
Everton, Newcastle and West Ham all
have aspirations of catching them, as do
Southampton, Crystal Palace and Aston
Villa, while the three promoted sides will
want more than just safety. Helped by
new signing Adam Lallana, Brighton also
have the potential to shock in innovative
coach Graham Potter’s second season.
The reality of course is that three will
go down, others will be sucked into the
relegation dogfight, and for the others a
spot in the top half will be the absolute
height of their ambition.
The Premier League elite remain
just that, and their battles will continue
to fascinate and excite. For the rest, it
is a scrap for the crumbs that fall from
the top of the table.
Jamie EvansENGLAND PREMIER LEAGUE Season Preview2020-21
If Brendan Rodgers can continue
to get the best out of 33-year-old
Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy,
Leicester will certainly be
contenders againEvergreen...
Jamie VardyChris Wilder...second
season syndrome?LEEDS UNITED
After winning the league by ten
points, Leeds’ players are ready to
be tested at the top. Kalvin Phillips
is a holding midfielder of Premier
League class and exciting winger
Jack Harrison will remain on loan
from Manchester City, while top
goalscorer Patrick Bamford has
plenty of critics to disprove.WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The ultimate yo-yo club were
promoted from the Championship
for a record fifth time with a hugely
experienced squad. Between them,
Kieran Gibbs,Jake Livermore, Hal
Robson-Kanu, Gareth Barry, Matt
Phillips, Chris Brunt and Charlie
Austin have amassed over1,500
Premier League appearances.FULHAM
The Cottagers significantly
overspent in their last Premier
League campaign, so are likely
to place more faith in the current
squad this time. Rookie manager
Scott Parker masterminded an
impressive victory over play-off
favourites Brentford in the final,
suggesting he has the nous to
guide Fulham to safety.CaptionPROMOTEDTEAMS