Jurgen Klopp will feel the weight of expectation as he enters his first full season in charge of Liverpool.
The German enjoyed a successful first nine months in his role after replacing the sacked Brendan Rodgers in October, see guiding the Reds to the finals of the Capital One Cup and the Europa League.
Although the Merseysiders failed to lift either trophy, there were signs of progress that had halted under the reign of the Northern Irishman.
Klopp has already made strides during the summer to bolster his squad for the new season, but will face a challenge inspiring his team to regain a place in the Champions League.
Liverpool are backed at 35/1 to win the Premier League by NetBetSport ending their two-year absence from Europe’s elite competition.
The Reds have secured the signings of Joel Matip, Loris Karius and Sadio Mane, and are eyeing further moves to keep pace with the big spenders of the division.
Christian Benteke’s sale will add further funds to Klopp’s budget as he struggled immensely in his first campaign with the club, and does not appear to fit the German’s system.
Crystal Palace are prepared to pay £31.5m for his services, ensuring that Liverpool will not take a huge loss on the Belgium international.
Replacing the 25-year-old could be an issue as Daniel Sturridge has failed to prove that he can last a full season without a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while Divock Origi and Danny Ings are also recovering from serious injury problems.
Mario Balotelli has returned from his loan spell from AC Milan, but appears to be far from the player that helped deliver the Premier League title for Manchester City in 2012.
Klopp will need to add further firepower to his side in order to return his side to top four, and may look to his former club Borussia Dortmund for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as an option.
Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain has also been linked, and would fit into Klopp’s system, with the prospect of a formidable partnership alongside Roberto Firmino and Mane.
In midfielder, Klopp appears to be keen to add Mario Gotze into the fold after the Germany international was an integral part of his success at Dortmund.
The 24-year-old has struggled for regular playing time since his switch to Bayern Munich, although he has insisted that he is willing to battle for first-team action under new manager Carlo Ancelotti.
It would be a blow for the Reds not to secure their major transfer target, although they are blessed with quality in midfield with the presence of Philippe Coutinho, while Joe Allen has been outstanding for Wales at the Euros.
Liverpool have also been touted with a move for Dynamo Zagreb winger Marko Pjaca, who featured for Croatia at Euro 2016.
However, a move for the 21-year-old is unlikely to make the difference in the battle for the Champions League places, falling into the category of Lazar Markovic, who was unable to make an impact in his first term at Anfield.
Simon Mignolet’s patchy form saw the club secure the signing of Karius, and the German will push the 28-year-old all the way for the spot between the sticks.
Meanwhile, Matip will provide much-needed competition at the back, although Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren appear to be locks in the middle of the defence.
Leicester City proved last season that you don’t always have to be brimmed full of world-class talent to win the title, although Liverpool will feel that there is enough quality in their team to make a similar charge.
However, judging by the reaction of the other challengers for the top-flight crown, it will take a huge effort for Klopp to guide his side back into the four before even thinking about winning the Premier League.