Image source, Getty ImagesThe curtain opens on the 2024-25 Premier League season in just a matter of days, so why not take a look at how all 20 clubs performed in pre-season?
The games have been spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Crawley and Preston.
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Sevilla.
Here are some of your comments:
Carl: A very competent first half with everyone looking hungry and like they knew each other. Jota sublime - please cover him in bubble wrap for the season. Dropped off in the heat but the changes didn't make a significant negative difference, which they can. Say all you want about the opposition but I can't wait to get back to Anfield.
Charley: A top performance and hopefully a sign of things to come. Our front three looked electric and hopefully this is the season when Diaz bags 20+ goals to cement his place among the best wingers in the world. The youngsters looked sharp and I am so pleased for Trey Nyoni. Even if he goes on loan we still know that we have a top talent for now and the future.
Victoria: Fantastic to see the boys at their best. Was nervous how they would be under the new manager, but some fresh management has done them well (no offence to Klopp as you were amazing and we still love you!). Diaz is on fire and amazing to see Jota scoring a rocket of a goal! Roll on the new season!
Pete: I know you should never read too much into pre-season but four wins from four is easing my nerves about an awkward transition period. The real test is yet to come but it's looking rather good isn't it?
Richard: So far so good with the squad as it is but we are short in a couple of positions. Until we invest in players we will only achieve fourth or fifth in the league this season. A good result and Jota scored an amazing goal. Let’s see what happens next Saturday against Ipswich, yet another away game at the start of the season against a newly promoted side.
Harry: Very impressive pre-season, the whole squad looks like they have relished the new manager's tweak of tactics. The high press is back, still very patient at the back, but more movement from midfield which allows a fast spring from defence to midfield and on to attack. Sure we will get caught out by the opposition press, but we have Alisson.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has one year left on his Reds deal and the 33-year-old Netherlands international says there has been no change to his contract situation. (Liverpool Echo), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Liverpool completed an emphatic 4-1 win over Sevilla at Anfield in their penultimate pre-season game.
A Diogo Jota volley and Luis Diaz double saw the side lead 3-0 at the break.
Peque pulled one back for the visitors in the second half, but Trey Nyoni added a fourth immediately to round off the scoring.
The Reds will now play a behind-closed-doors friendly against Las Palmas to end their pre-season campaign.
What did you learn from this game, Liverpool fans?
Are Arne Slot's side ready for kick-off next weekend at Ipswich?
Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external - and come back on Monday to read the submissions.
The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.
Here's a look at which teams are in action on a busy Sunday.
All times BST
Image source, Getty ImagesDundee have signed defender Billy Koumetio from Liverpool on a two-year contract, with the transfer subject to international clearance.
Koumetio, 21, joined Liverpool's academy in 2018 but only made two appearances for the first team during his time on Merseyside.
The French youth international spent the second half of last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, but featured just once in an FA Cup loss against Newcastle United.
However, he is keen to impress north of the border and says his former teammate Owen Beck's loan spell at Dens Park encouraged him to sign for Tony Docherty's side.
"I believe and have the conviction that this is the best step in my career. I had discussions with the manager, Liverpool and my agent and once we reached an agreement everything went through.
"I discussed with the manager how he wants to play and how he wants me to play and how I can improve as a player," Koumetio said.
"I spoke with Owen Beck about his time at Dundee and he loved it, everything he said about the club was so positive."
Liverpool maintain a strong interest in England and Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon. However, a deal to buy the 23-year-old collapsed in June and Gordon's price will likely be elevated. (Liverpool Echo), external
Real Sociedad are trying to convince 25-year-old Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi to reject a move to Anfield. The Spain midfielder has a £51m release clause. (Times - subscription required), external
Meanwhile, Liverpool have rejected multiple offers for 22-year-old Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg. Hoffenheim, Stuttgart, Wolfsburg, Mainz, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen are all interested. (Sky Germany), external
French defender Billy Koumetio, 21, is on the verge of a move from Liverpool to Dundee. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Right now, brinkmanship is the name of the game. There have been times when some clubs sorted their transfer business early in the window and everyone wondered why so few others followed their lead. Put simply, it isn't in the selling clubs' financial interest, and it usually isn't in the moving player's financial interest either, to go early.
A selling club wants a bidding war to up the price and they don't mind a bit of panic buying when the window is creaking ever nearer the sill. If you still haven't signed that star player who you think, hope or maybe even actually believe, will make all the difference, clubs can get twitchy and make rash costly decisions.
I have watched it happen from within. Good intentions and a willingness to stick to a pre-arranged budget, suddenly evaporates when clubs are bounced into making these calls. There is also a bit of pride in there too. "We aren't losing out on our first choice to that lot!" is a common refrain, especially when it's to one of your close rivals.
As for the moving player, or more specifically his agent, last-minute brinkmanship is the dream scenario. Playing two or three suitors off against each other (and you don't even have to tell the truth of what you are being offered elsewhere) means you can exaggerate as much as you like to up the ante.
So that is why the deals go to the wire, and why they are so lucrative. It is also why I never have too much sympathy for a player, when a huge deal falls through at the last moment. Greed can push it too far in the end and it can all come crashing down, which is why they call it brinkmanship! If you dance on the edge of a volcano you might just fall in.
Image source, Getty ImagesA quarter of the managers in the Premier League will be taking charge of an English top-flight game for the first time on the opening weekend of the season.
They are Arne Slot at Liverpool, Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Russell Martin at Southampton, Kieran McKenna at Ipswich and Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.
So, what can you expect from the quintet?
Slot led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title, and the Dutch Cup last season. Reds midfielder Harvey Elliott says his playing philosophy is a typically "elegant" Dutch style - compared to Jurgen Klopp's 'heavy metal football'.
Maresca prefers a heavy possession-based style - which is how he has started his reign at Chelsea too - and was sometimes criticised for his reluctance to make substitutions while at Leicester City.
It is possession-based football that Martin has brought to Southampton too but fans and local media have warned he will need to be smarter with style this season.
McKenna is considered one of the top managerial prospects around. His expansive brand of football saw Ipswich gain promotion with successive second-placed finishes, scoring 101 goals in League One and 92 in the Championship.
Hurzeler, who joined Brighton from German second-tier side St Pauli, is the least known name in England of the managers on this list. He is known for his passionate side line antics and his teams dominating games on the ball.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Martin Zubimendi, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool this week. And if brought in, would he be an upgrade on existing holding midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo?
Here are some of your thoughts:
Ian: It’s what we need. I like Endo but we need competition in every position if we want to win things.
Stuart: This could be a great signing as it will free Mac Allister to play further forward and impact the game more. Zubimendi, Endo and Alexander-Arnold rotating in the defensive role would give us a greater scope than we have currently. Szoboszlai with Mac Allister in front of them feeding the forwards.
Rob: I hope they go and get him. Rodri wasn’t missed when this lad replaced him at half time at the Euros. He would allow Mac Allister to play in his best position further forward with Endo as back up or even sold if Liverpool recoup most of their outlay on him a year ago.
Frank: Forget Zubimendi, we already have what is required.
Rob: Endo performs well but often gets booked which makes him less effective as a defensive midfielder. Zubimendi looks to be better disciplined which would make him a worthwhile upgrade. Mac Allister plays better when he is further up the pitch. Would be great to have all three in the squad!
Jeffrey: I’m happy to bring him into the fold but would like to see us bring in a central defender.
Ciaran: Zubimendi looked the part last season and his quality showed during the Euros. Liverpool need to make sure they get their man given they have missed a top quality defensive midfielder since Fabinho's prime couple of years. Pay the fee, get him in, ready to start against Ipswich in 10 days.
Stevo: I don’t know much about Zubimendi but from the stats that have been provided he doesn’t appear to be any better than what we already have. The price tag seems excessive for a player that we don’t really need at the moment.
Image source, Getty ImagesSpanish football expert Terry Gibson says Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi "has everything you need to be a modern day defensive midfielder".
Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, external, the former striker said: "He is an excellent player and has gone under the radar of English clubs in the last few years. He is 25-years-old now but I knew he was a fantastic player and prospect at the age of 21.
"He fits the bill for any serious team in European football because he is that good. Zubimendi is not as important as his Spanish counterpart Rodri yet, but there are not a lot of differences between them.
"He has everything you need to be a modern day defensive midfielder. If you give him time on the ball then he will hurt you because he can create passes that put attacking play into motion. He resembles a lot of qualities of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid.
"It is not going to be an easy transfer to pull-off because he is Real Sociedad through and through. They have been on a particularly good run of form in the last few years and he has been instrumental in that. But because of that, big clubs are coming calling for their best players."
Real Sociedad expect their Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi to accept a move to Liverpool, although the clubs still need to agree a deal for the 25-year-old. (Athletic - subscription required), external
Liverpool are still interested in Germany and Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier, but the 21-year-old wants to join Borussia Dortmund and is in talks with the Bundesliga club. (Sky Germany), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty Images*MZ= Martin Zubimendi, AMA= Alexis Mac Allister, WE= Wataru Endo.
**Interceptions and tackles won are their figures per 90 minutes in 2023-24
***All other stats are season averages
It looks like the first signing of the Arne Slot era could be a holding midfielder as Liverpool have shown interest in Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi.
In terms of heads, it isn't a position they are lacking in. Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo, who both joined the Reds last summer, shared the responsibility of the position in holding midfield last season but it looks like Slot wants something new.
Looking at the numbers, Zubimendi could be described as a less 'busy' midfielder than his counterparts. The 25-year old won less than one tackle per 90 minutes last season which may sound low for a defensive midfielder, especially when Mac Allister won almost double the amount of tackles per 90 minutes.
Mac Allister and Endo may make more tackles, but Zubimendi is the more efficient in the challenge. He is the only one of the three who won more than half of his tackles against dribblers last season. Zubimendi's 54% in this stat beats Spanish team mate Rodri last season (52%), a man who is widely regarded as one of the finest defensive midfielders around.
Zubimendi also boasts a much better disciplinary record than the Liverpool duo. Despite playing more minutes than both Mac Allister and Endo, his five yellow cards fairs nicely against Mac Allister's nine and Endo's twelve bookings in 2023-24.
Zubimendi isn't particularly tall but his 65% success in aerial duels is a neat upgrade on Slot's current options and may add a bit of steel to Liverpool's midfield.
What do you make of Zubimendi, Liverpool fans? Is he an upgrade on Mac Allister and Endo, or would you rather the money be spent elsewhere?
Let us know your thoughts on Zubimendi here, external
Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool are exploring a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as they look to make their first signing under new manager Arne Slot.
Zubimendi was part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024 and came on as a second-half substitute for Manchester City's Rodri when his country beat England 2-1 in the final.
The 25-year-old has been at Sociedad since 2011 and is reported to have a release clause worth 60m euros (£51.5m).
Zubimendi helped Sociedad finish sixth in La Liga last season, scoring four times in 31 league appearances.
The Spanish club also reached the last 16 of the Champions League in 2023-24 before they were beaten by Paris St-Germain.
Zubimendi would be the first arrival under Slot, who took over at the Anfield club following the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
Image source, Getty ImagesDespite Liverpool keeping a clean sheet and beating Manchester United in the final friendly of their pre-season tour in the United States, boss Arne Slot said he wanted to see his side "control the game better".
Dave Comerford from the Reds Unrestricted podcast says it is good to see the Dutch manager setting high expectations from the outset.
Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside's Phil Munns, Comerford said: "I always like that from a manager because you can't always solely focus on results. That wouldn't be a sustainable way to manage a team. You have to look at the performances and the weaknesses that are in there.
"Watching the Manchester United game, I think he has a valid point - they had a lot of chances and we struggled playing out from the back, so those are the weaknesses Slot will have to work on.
"I have been really happy with Slot so far. Succeeding Jurgen Klopp is one of the most daunting tasks any manager could have, but I think he has hit all the right notes.
"He has had that humility of realising he has succeeded one of the greatest managers in Premier League history, but he also has this sense of wanting to build his own project on the back of that success.
"I couldn't fault him at all so far."
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen asked by BBC Sport what Arne Slot's answer to Jurgen Klopp's "heavy metal football" was, midfielder Harvey Elliott said it was an "elegant", typically Dutch style.
Elliott, Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah are among those to enjoy the more possession-heavy approach, featuring shorter passes and more interchanging of positions.
They will play out from the back and risk making mistakes but hope that a patient, meticulous build-up approach will ultimately reap rewards.
They will still press but with less intensity and when struggling against Arsenal they sat in effectively to ward off pressure. Could this approach lead to fewer injuries and less fatigue towards the end of the season?
It will be interesting to see whether Liverpool adapt to such a significant change in their previously unique and entertaining style, or whether certain players struggle.
As Liverpool legend John Barnes said on the US tour: "In many respects, it is more about the players adapting to the manager.
"It is probably going to be more difficult for the players than at other clubs with other managers, because Jurgen was here for eight or nine years and has been so instrumental in creating an identity for the football club.
"But the players are up for it and they seem to like it."
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool's pre-season tour of the US was full of winning football but left little chance to get to know more about Slot away from the field.
The Dutchman is replacing Jurgen Klopp who led the Reds for eight and a half glorious years.
Some clubs use overseas tours to help introduce new coaches to the media but that was not really the case here.
Slot appeared friendly but guarded, opting to watch a Phillies baseball match rather than conduct interviews for example, and took part in just one pre-match news conference while Stateside.
But, from speaking to a host of players around him on this tour, they appear to be enjoying the challenge of learning a new style of play - and three consecutive wins give hope of the potential to challenge for trophies once again this season.
A thumping 3-0 win against Manchester United rounded off a pre-season which also saw a 1-0 win over Real Betis and a 2-1 win over Arsenal.
The whole tour, as CEO Billy Hogan revealed in an interview with BBC Sport, was designed by Slot's predecessor Klopp and focused on minimising air miles, ensuring training facilities were world class and avoiding high summer temperatures in the United States wherever they could.
Slot described it as a "very positive" tour, which was less focused on marketing or selling his new club than preparation for winning.
