Liverpool

Manager: Gerard Houllier.

A strangely restrained summer for Houllier who bought only once despite being linked with a whole string of prominent figures across Europe. Clearly the Frenchman feels he has a squad capable of making a genuine push for the title although it is not quite certain whether he is right or not.

Last year's hat-trick of cups was a remarkable achievement but it's worth recalling that they might easily have lost any or even all three of the finals. Repeatedly, the Premiership's best strikeforces made the defence look a little soft and uncertain around the area and Sander Westerveld had his moments too.

With the Champions League further stretching the squad it may be difficult for the club to fulfil inflated expectations although if Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Redknapp can have injury free seasons then it will go a long way towards advancing the club's long overdue to crack at the title.

In: John Arne Riise (Monaco, £4.6m); Milac Baros (Bonik Ostrovic, £3.4 million) Total: £8.0

Out: Christian Ziege (Tottenham, £4m); Ian Armstrong (Port Vale, free); Leyton Maxwell (Cardiff, free), Jon Newbury (Bury, undisclosed), Peter Crookes (Halifax, free), Jamie Olsen (Tranmere, free); Kevin Doherty (Shelbourne, free). Total: £4m. Net spend: £2.8m.

Rep of Ireland players: Richie Partridge.

Last year: Prem: 3rd, FAC: Winners. Europe: UEFA Cup winners.

This year: 4th.

Official website: www.liverpoolfc.tv

Betting: 9-2.