Premier League is BACK 😍Can anyone stop reigning champions Liverpool in 25/26?

The Reds swept everyone aside last season but still went out and spent a colossal amount of cash on new players this summer

It's almost go time! After what has felt like a ridiculously short summer break, the Premier League returns on Friday, when Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield. The Reds romped to the title last season, and the concern for all of their rivals is that Arne Slot now has an even stronger squad at his disposal, with Fenway Sports Group (FSG) having spent big on a number of top talents, including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.

Of course, Viktor Gyokeres is being touted as the prolific striker Arsenal have long needed to get them over the line, Chelsea are newly crowned 'world champions', while Manchester City have continued strengthening their squad. Consequently, a tighter title race is anticipated.

The big question is, though: can anyone stop Liverpool from winning a record-breaking 21st English championship? GOAL writers pick their title winners and top-four finishers.

'New era of success at Anfield'

Mark Doyle: Liverpool will win the league again - but they won't run away with it like last season. Arsenal finally have a prolific No.9, Manchester City haven't stopped spending since January, while Chelsea's Club World Cup win proved there is method to the transfer market madness at Stamford Bridge. Still, while the title race will be a lot closer, Liverpool should still finish first, just ahead of Arsenal, City and Chelsea (in that order). The Reds have not only spent big, they've also bought wonderfully well. Injuries could obviously change things - particularly if the Reds go deep in the Champions League this year - but Slot won the title with one new signing; he could claim multiple trophies with the significantly strengthened squad at his disposal. We really could be witnessing the dawn of a new era of sustained success at Anfield.

'City will fall to fourth'

James Westwood: Liverpool were comfortably the best team in the league last season, and that will be the case again after their £300m splurge in the transfer window (even if Alexander Isak doesn't complete their summer business). Meanwhile, Arsenal's long-awaited purchase of a proper No.9 in Viktor Gyokeres should get them second for a fourth year running, and Chelsea will break back into the top three after significantly bolstering their own attack. But Manchester City will drop to fourth as Pep Guardiola continues to fumble his first proper rebuild.

'Liverpool to get even stronger'

Amee Ruszkai: Liverpool are my favourites to win the Premier League again this year. The Reds were excellent last season, I like their transfer business and expect that they will get stronger in Arne Slot's second campaign. Manchester City and Arsenal have also made strong signings and both should push Liverpool close in a better title race, but I was really impressed with the champions last year and think it will take something special to usurp them. Chelsea, who should kick on after Enzo Maresca's first year in charge, complete the set, with their Club World Cup triumph showcasing their potential.

'Difficult to back against Liverpool'

Sean Walsh: There's a world where Liverpool's big spending backfires and disrupts the flow of their squad-building, but that's not a prospect I'm willing to bet on right now. I'd rather predict they win the league and have them prove the world wrong. The rest of the top four feels like it picks itself at this stage, though after-effects of the Club World Cup could drag Chelsea and Manchester City back into a Champions League scrap.

'Arsenal's mentality still a concern'

Tom Maston: While Liverpool are by no means a complete team, they are as close to one in the Premier League right now, and regardless of whether they secure Alexander Isak's signing or not, it's hard to look past the Reds defending their crown given the injection of talent that Arne Slot's squad has received over the summer. Arsenal should be able to put up much more of a fight compared to last season, and there's no doubt that their own new arrivals will make a difference, but I still question whether the Gunners can shake off their 'woe is me' mentality and become a dominant force over the course of a full campaign. I'm less sure of Manchester City's summer business, but the return of Rodri should mean they are at least more competitive in the title race, while Chelsea arguably have the third-strongest squad in the league. However, the impact of Champions League football on the Blues, combined with their deep run at the Club World Cup, means they might not fire on full cylinders throughout, and thus will finish fourth.

'Liverpool set up perfectly'

Joe Strange: Despite losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, Liverpool's incredible summer transfer window has set them up almost perfectly to make it back-to-back Premier League title wins. Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea have all strengthened significantly, but there's little to suggest Arne Slot's men won't move up a gear with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez adding even more quality to the starting XI. Pep Guardiola's new-look City will improve, the Gunners should entertain more with a bona fide No.9 to call upon and Cole Palmer and Co. could surprise a few, but ultimately they'll all have to settle for Champions League football.

'Only a Van Dijk injury could stop Liverpool'

Stephen Darwin: The fact Liverpool have improved a title-winning squad, and could well boast Alexander Isak at the tip of their attack before the transfer window closes, is a frankly frightening proposition for the rest of the Premier League. The only question mark might be defensively, where any injury to Virgil van Dijk would be a significant blow, but, as things stand, it still feels like they're a class above those aiming to dethrone them in the 2025-26 campaign. As for the top-four battle, it's anyone's guess and it'll be more competitive than ever. Don't believe the hype that's been building around Chelsea, though; they remain the most at risk and Manchester United look well-placed to capitalise.

'Arsenal to upset Liverpool in an epic title race'

Krishan Davis: Liverpool might have done their utmost to hold onto their crown in the transfer window, but I actually think Arsenal have made the necessary tweaks to finally end their 21-year wait for a league title, and Viktor Gyokeres will obviously be key in that regard. It could be an all-timer of a title race and I'd expect the Reds to come a close second to the Gunners. Chelsea could spring a surprise with a more consistent campaign to take third ahead of Pep Guardiola's new-look Man City, who are still somewhat unconvincing and haven't shown signs of an immediate improvement.

'Blown their rivals out of the water'

Richard Martin: Liverpool coasted to last year's title without signing any players and now they have blown all their rivals out of the water in the transfer market, strengthening in every area of their squad. Add in the fact that they beat Manchester City to the signing of Florian Wirtz and that they could yet add Alexander Isak to their already ferocious squad and it is hard to see how Arne Slot’s side do not retain their crown. Chelsea will build on the momentum of their Club World Cup win and finish second; Arsenal have recruited well but will still lack the creativity to break down stubborn opponents, meaning they'll have to make do with third place; and Manchester City do not look as strong as in recent years, even after a busy summer, and will come home fourth.