Mane-less Reds rightful outsiders at the KP
The anticipation ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League season is set to increase significantly as the Community Shield takes place on Saturday evening.
Liverpool take on Manchester City, the FA Cup winners against Premier League champions, potentially looking to bounce back from their 1-0 win in the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
The signing of Erling Haaland only seems to have increased the feeling that the league title is already wrapped up for City this season, but that will only fire Jurgen Klopp up more with the Reds preparing for their first campaign since the departure of Sadio Mane.
City are favourites at a large odds against price, with a penalty shoot-out coming immediately after full time should the match end in a draw.
Background
Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho have arrived to strengthen the depth in the first team squad, with the former possibly earning a start on Saturday.
Calvin Ramsay, 18, has joined from Aberdeen as a prospective future first team player, with the aforementioned Mane the headline departure.
Looking at how they shape up, Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah still stand out as influential players in the back and forward line, with Thiago Alcantara’s influence on the team increasing after two seasons settling into his role at Anfield.
Jack Grealish will be hoping to have a greater impact for City this season after gradually adjusting to life under Pep Guardiola last term.
Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling have all left the Etihad Stadium this summer, to direct Premier League rivals, clear the path for younger players like Cole Palmer and James McAtee potentially having the chance to force their way into Guardiola’s plans, with five substitutes allowed from the beginning of the season.
Kalvin Phillips has arrived from Leeds United, probably as an understudy to Rodri initially, with the England international allowing Guardiola to rotate a little more than he did with certain players last season.
Looking at one-off matches and cup finals, which this is in a way, Liverpool do appear stronger than City, but without Mane in the side it is hard to argue against them being slightly worse off in the short term.
City very rarely put in a poor performance and they will be hoping to get one over their main title rivals ahead of a long and congested season.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Liverpool draw first blood.