Few Things to Look Forward to on EPL This Season
This season of the English Premier League, which kicked off last Friday, promises to be filled with exciting new stories, heated confrontations, and tense moments. In this season, you should keep an eye out for these things.
A Ronaldo-less season
Christiano Ronaldo is not anticipated to be included in Erik ten Hag's starting lineup for Manchester United's first Premier League game without Jose Mourinho since he is not yet match-fit. This means seeing Ronaldo make an appearance at any English Premier League free livestream very unlikely.
The manager called the 37-year- old's exit from Sunday's friendly against Rayo Vallecano "unacceptable," and now everyone witnessing Brighton's visit will be a body-language specialist, analyzing every interaction for signs of dissatisfaction.
The Portuguese player's choice to skip practice was undoubtedly planned as the latest stratagem in the effort to quit a club that he is purportedly passionate about. How Ten Hag handles Ronaldo and an unwelcome distraction will likely determine the success or failure of the new manager's efforts to reconstruct a shattered team.
Argentina and City ties
Man City's all-time leading scorer is also the last Argentine to strike on his start for the club. Another player has netted on his debut appearance for the Citizens a year after Sergio Aguero's departure; will he go on to achieve the same success as Aguero?
Even though he is only a year younger than Sergio Aguero was when he made his debut, Julian Alvarez is witnessing European football for the very first time in the most rigorous and competitive group in the world.
In addition to the Argentinean, City signed Erling Haaland this summer, who is arguably the most sought-after player in the world and so will start ahead of the Argentine.
After achieving great success at River Plate and becoming South American champion while playing for the famous Marcelo Gallardo, Alvarez now has the opportunity to continue his meteoric rise in the sport. There is no doubt that you won't find two finer mentors to lead you to victory.
Nuñez for Liverpool
It does not appear that Darwin Nuez needs a gradual introduction. The Uruguayan striker was a second-half substitute in Liverpool's Community Shield victory over City last weekend, but he quickly fit in with his new squad.
Nuez scored his first goal for Liverpool on a courageous header after making some slick runs and displaying some excellent connection play. He also showed indications of understanding with Mohamed Salah.
When Liverpool travels to Fulham this Saturday, the question is whether or not Klopp will start the former Benfica striker. Is there any benefit to benching the 23-year-old and starting Roberto Firmino in the middle? Fulham's defenders must be sweating the prospect of trying to quiet down Nuez, despite Firmino's wonderful, subtle play.
Kane is ready to get going right away
If optimism is to be expected throughout the preseason, then it has been especially strong at Tottenham. When Antonio Conte signed on for the project, the club moved quickly to make strategic signings. There is one player, though, who possesses the key to victory, and fortunately for everyone involved, Harry Kane appears to be in a calm and prepared state.
The forward had already expressed his want to leave the team at this time last year. He struggled after not getting what he wanted and managed to score just one goal in the league by mid-December.
Under Conte, who arrived at the beginning of November, he found his rhythm again, scoring 17 goals in the tournament. He feels confident heading into the season opener against Southampton, having finally had a full preseason. Kane plans to accept the high standards set by Conte's philosophy, which is predicated on getting the most out of his forwards.
Diaz to replace Mane’s production
With 23 goals and 5 assists throughout all games, Sadio Mane departed Liverpool for Bayern Munich this summer.
If Liverpool is going to match Mane's productivity, Colombian winger Luis Diaz will need to be at the top of his game.
After six months of adjusting to life in England, "Lucho" still hasn't exhibited the full potential that he showed when he first came in January.
One of the major questions surrounding Liverpool's season is whether or not he can make Mane irrelevant and relieve some of the strain on Mohamed Salah. You’d better catch the English Premier League free livestream to find out for yourself.