Liverpool and Manchester City begin the new Premier League season facing a major question: can either club remain among England’s elite after losing the figures who shaped their most successful eras?
Liverpool enter the campaign without Mohamed Salah, while Manchester City start life after Pep Guardiola. Both departures mark a major turning point for clubs that dominated English football for much of the past decade.
Salah recently left Liverpool for Turkish side Trabzonspor after nine seasons at Anfield. Guardiola, meanwhile, stepped down as City manager at the end of last season after a trophy-laden spell in Manchester.
The changes have created new challenges for Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola and Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca.
Liverpool face life after Salah
Salah’s departure leaves Liverpool without the forward who became the face of the club’s modern era.
The Egyptian joined Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most prolific attackers.
He scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions. During that time, he helped the club win two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
However, Liverpool’s transition began before Salah’s departure.
The Reds finished fifth last season after a difficult campaign. Arne Slot subsequently left the club, paving the way for Iraola to take charge.
The Spanish coach now has the difficult task of rebuilding Liverpool while also finding new sources of goals and creativity.
Iraola has already acknowledged that Liverpool need more reinforcements, particularly in the wide areas. The club has added players including defender Jérémy Jacquet and forward Víctor Muñoz, while Alexander Isak is expected to play a major role in attack.
Isak carries greater attacking responsibility
Isak endured an injury-hit first season at Anfield. Nevertheless, Liverpool will need the Sweden international to make a significant impact this campaign.
The club will also expect more from its other attacking players.
Without Salah, Liverpool cannot simply replace his contribution with one player. Instead, Iraola must spread the responsibility across the squad.
That makes the opening weeks particularly important for the new manager.
Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle United on Sunday, giving Iraola an immediate test.
Manchester City enter post-Guardiola era
Manchester City face an equally significant transition.
Guardiola transformed the club after arriving in 2016. Under his leadership, City won six Premier League titles and their first Champions League trophy, alongside numerous domestic honours.
His departure therefore leaves Maresca with enormous expectations.
The Italian coach knows the club well after previously working as one of Guardiola’s assistants. However, succeeding one of the most successful managers in modern football presents an entirely different challenge.
Maresca must also oversee a squad that has undergone major changes.
Several experienced players have left, while other key figures have faced uncertain futures. The club is therefore attempting to rebuild while maintaining its position among the Premier League’s leading teams.
City also suffered a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, adding further intrigue ahead of the new campaign.
Maresca inherits a changing squad
City have invested heavily in refreshing their squad.
However, the rebuilding process remains incomplete. The club continues to face questions about midfield depth and attacking options, while several players have attracted transfer interest.
At the same time, Erling Haaland remains the focal point of City’s attack.
The Norway striker will carry much of the goalscoring burden as Maresca attempts to establish his own identity at the Etihad Stadium.
The new manager has insisted that he remains confident in the squad despite the departures and transfer uncertainty.
Two clubs, two new identities
Liverpool and Manchester City have reached this point through different routes, but both now face the same challenge: building a new identity without the individuals who defined their previous eras.
For Liverpool, the biggest question is how effectively Iraola can distribute the goals and creativity previously supplied by Salah.
For City, Maresca must demonstrate that Guardiola’s methods can evolve without Guardiola himself.
Both clubs still possess considerable financial resources and talented squads. However, the margin for error could be smaller than in previous seasons.
Liverpool finished fifth last season, while City also failed to maintain their previous dominance. Arsenal, meanwhile, enter the new campaign as the defending Premier League champions.
The Premier League spotlight turns to Iraola and Maresca
The opening weeks will provide an early indication of whether Liverpool and City can adapt quickly.
Iraola must create a Liverpool attack capable of thriving without Salah. Maresca, meanwhile, needs to convince City supporters that the club can continue competing for major honours after Guardiola.
Neither task will be straightforward.
However, both managers inherit clubs with the resources and talent to challenge near the top of the Premier League.
The real test is whether they can turn those resources into a new era of success.
For more information and fixtures, visit the official Premier League website.
This report is based on information from AFP, with additional reporting and editing by Afri-Global News.
