Liverpool begin the defence of their Premier League title when they entertain newly-promoted Leeds United at Anfield this evening.
The Merseysiders stormed their way to the title last season – ending a 30-year drought by finishing 18-points clear of second placed Man City – but Jurgen Klopp knows it will be a tough task to defend the trophy this campaign.
Despite running away with it last year, bookmakers are pricing Liverpool as the 2/1 second favourites to win the title this season. You could gamble at a casino or play bingo online but you’d be hard pushed to find such tempting odds anywhere else given how dominant Liverpool were last year.
Therefore, it’s no surprise many punters are moving to back Klopp’s men to see-off competition from 4/5 favourites Manchester City to win the Premier League title for a second consecutive season.
Liverpool will be extremely confident of getting off to a winning start as they host Leeds United at Anfield in their opening fixture. Leeds won the Championship to gain promotion back to the top flight but they couldn’t have asked for a more difficult first game.
The Reds are priced as heavy 3/10 favourites to win tonight’s match and most bettors will be backing Liverpool. However, those you predict a shock can get Leeds at 19/2 to win at Anfield while the draw is available at 5/1.
Keita to start
Klopp has just one major injury concern as Jordan Henderson remains a doubt as he’s still not fully fit following a knee injury that he sustained during the closing stages of last season. The Liverpool skipper will face a late test but Klopp isn’t likely to risk him so Naby Keita is expected to start ahead of Henderson in midfield.
Gini Wijnaldum is being heavily linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer but the Dutchman is still set to start against Leeds while Fabinho should make-up Klopp’s three-man midfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be passed fit to start at right-back after recovering from a knock so he’s set to feature in a familiar back four alongside Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk.
Klopp isn’t expected to make any surprise decisions in attack so we should see Liverpool’s formidable front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino leading the line up front and they’ll be a lot to handle for the Leeds defence.
Alisson Becker will obviously start in goal for the champions but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Xherdan Shaqiri could miss out due to fitness issues while new signing Konstantinos Tsimikas won’t be available.
Predicted XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
