Salah and Mane clicking key to Liverpool's trophy hunt but Klopp's side may thrill and spill

Sadio Mane

LAST SEASON

Fourth

TOP SCORER

Philippe Coutinho, Mane (13)

KEY INS

Mohamed Salah (Roma, £39m), Andy Roberston (Hull City, £8m), Dominic Solanke (Chelsea, tribunal fee)

KEY OUTS

Kevin Stewart (Hull City, £8m), Lucas Leiva (Lazio, £5m), Andre Wisdom (Derby, £4.5m)

REASONS TO BE POSITIVE

Salah adds an injection of speed and quality to an already-rapid attack, while Liverpool were electric in the opening half of the campaign.

REASONS TO BE PESSIMISTIC

Injuries to Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana have compounded failures to land Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keita. Defence still looks markedly weaker than direct competitors.

ONE TO WATCH

Trent Alexander-Arnold has impressed during pre-season and the injury to Nathaniel Clyne means the right-back slot should be his to lose.

EXPECTATION

Salah clicks with Mane and Coutinho rejects Barcelona’s overtures, providing the requisite quality to challenge for both Premier League and Champions League glory.

REALITY

Klopp’s men thrill much more than they dismay, but failures in the transfer market mean they come up just short in the task of sweeping up trophies.