The Reds get the new campaign underway with a home game against Bournemouth on Friday (15.08.25) and the coach is expecting fierce competition for their crown despite a summer of big-spending at Anfield.

Slot said: "In pre-season it's normal there is some room for improvement.

"We've not only lost three or four starters, we've lost five or six players that played a lot of minutes for us last season and then we brought in new players so it's normal there's a little bit of adaptation. We are definitely ready for the league to start.

"There are so many competitors who can win the league over here. To win it once is already very special, let alone if you can win twice in five years like us or like Manchester City, who did even better.

"That's unbelievable if you're able to do this in this league. Probably this year it is going to be harder than every year before because every team brings in new players but our main competitors definitely did as well."

Slot is expecting a tough opener for his team as they take on Bournemouth, who impressed many under the management of Andoni Iraola last term.

The Dutch coach added: "We're starting with Bournemouth which was last season probably the most intense team in the league...they also brought in some good new players, as they have shown they can do in the last few years.

"A very good team with a very good manager and a challenge for us on Friday. We're looking forward to it because playing an evening game at Anfield is something everyone is looking forward to."