Champions hoping history doesn't repeat itself

HERE we go again. So continues the throbbing sense of deja vu from the previous time Liverpool were reigning Premier League champions five years ago.

- By IAN DOYLE

First came the debate over whether three senior centre-backs was sufficient cover for the position, concerns admittedly having been eased with the arrival of teenager Giovanni Leoni from Parma and the ongoing interest in Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi.

Then there was Community Shield defeat on penalties to London opposition at Wembley, Palace replicating the achievement of Arsenal in 2020. And then the season opened with an Anfield goalfest, which sparked fierce scrutiny of Liverpool’s defending and featured a late goal from Mohamed Salah to finally settle the outcome with a home win.

But the comparisons end with the personnel. While the Reds largely kept with the same squad in defence of the title under Jurgen Klopp, this time around Arne Slot has been compelled to overhaul the squad.

Leoni, watching on from the Main Stand as Slot’s side eventually saw off Bournemouth on Friday evening, has become the sixth big-money signing of the summer, four of whom started against the South Coast outfit. It was telling none of them finished.