Liverpool and City .. A New Page Without Salah and Guardiola

Liverpool and Manchester City enter the new Premier League season facing an unprecedented test, having each lost one of the defining figures of their modern eras: the departure of Egyptian star Mohamed Salah from Anfield, and the end of the historic tenure of Spanish manager Pep Guardiola with City.

For the first time since 2016, Liverpool begin a season without Salah, who was one of the key pillars of the team’s attack, while Manchester City embark on a new chapter without Guardiola, whose era was the most successful in the club’s history.

Salah joined Turkish club Trabzonspor earlier this August, ending a nine-year stint with Liverpool, while Guardiola resigned at the end of last season after a trophy-laden spell.

City kick off their league campaign by hosting Bournemouth, in their first competitive match under Italian manager Enzo Maresca, Guardiola’s successor. On the same day, Spanish coach Andoni Iraola makes his debut as Liverpool manager, as the Reds travel to face Newcastle United.

Iraola recognizes that replacing a player of Salah’s caliber will not be a simple task, and he hopes Swedish striker Alexander Isak will deliver an improved performance after a difficult first season at Anfield marred by injuries.