Page 22 - Soccer360 Issue 107

SEASON PREVIEW
2024-25
EPL SEASON REVIEW
Liverpool, Top:
Arne Slot takes over the reins at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp’s departure
Manchester City, Bottom: Can Manchester City win a fifth straight Premier League title
Manchester United, Bottom: Manchester United hope Joshua Zirkzee can carry them back into the Champions League
LAST SEASON
LAST SEASON LAST SEASON
DID YOU KNOW?
Jurgen Klopp managed Liverpool from 2015-2023, and left the club one win shy of 300 total. In 491 games, he coached the Reds to 109 draws and 83 loses as well.
KEY PLAYER
KEY PLAYER
KEY PLAYER
IPSWICH TOWN
FINISH: 2nd (Championship) RECORD: 28-12-6
MOST GOALS: Chaplin (13)
LEICESTER CITY
FINISH: 1st (Championship) RECORD: 31-4-11
MOST GOALS: Vardy (18)
LIVERPOOL
FINISH: 3rd place RECORD: 24-10-4
MOST GOALS: Salah (18)
Ipswich return to the Premier League for the first time since 2002, and they couldn’t have done it in finer style. When head coach Kieran McKenna was appointed in December 2021, the club was struggling to even assert itself in League One, but in just two and-a-half years he’s introduced a winning mentality and masterminded successive promotions with a thrilling, attack-minded approach.
The Northern Irishman decided to stay amid interest from elsewhere and his blooming reputation will only be enhanced if he manages to keep the Tractor Boys
in the top-flight. Although his side will
be many people’s favourites to go down, they’ll relish the challenge and could end up causing a few surprises. Central defender Jacob Greaves and a permanent move for exciting Chelsea winger Omari Hutchinson represent their standout summer signings.
Omari Hutchinson
They made rather hard work of it in
the end amid concerns they’d broken financial rules, but Leicester are back in
the Premier League at the first attempt having suffered an almost inexplicable relegation in 2022-23. After masterminding their Championship title success in his only season in charge, manager Enzo Maresca - who never received universal approval from the fans - left to take over at Chelsea, with the highly respected Steve Cooper making for a popular choice as his replacement.
As a newly promoted club, the first aim will be to ensure survival but there is enough quality in this Foxes side to exceed that, with Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu offering a threat in wide areas, and new signing Caleb Okoli a key addition to their defence. Elsewhere, club legend Jamie Vardy, at the age of 37, is back for more.
Jamie Vardy
Life after Jurgen Klopp begins for Liverpool as Arne Slot takes his place in the Anfield dugout. The laidback Dutchman introduces a more measured, elegant playing style
but will try to retain the same level of entertainment that Reds fans have been treated to for the better part of a decade, and set a course for another Premier League title challenge.
To do that, he is largely keeping faith with the squad he inherited, led by titans such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. At the same time it’ll be interesting to see how he utilises the talent of Trent Alexander- Arnold, and attempts to get more consistent performances from the likes of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, as a lack
of ruthlessness occasionally cost Liverpool last term. A top four finish would represent a decent first season.
Mohammed Salah
20 SOCCER360