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'Sleep is for the weak': Bozza's Dummies Guide to the Premier League

The Premier League is back after one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory saw Liverpool win a record-equalling 20th title, Manchester City go into meltdown and Manchester United hit new lows.

The new campaign kicks off on Saturday (AEST) and teams have spent big in an attempt to capitalise on what looks like being a wide-open title race after City's dominance was ended.

Defending champion Liverpool hasn't stood still, with Florian Wirtz the pick of its signings for a fee that could rise to a British record $240 million.

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Florian Wirtz of Liverpool at Nissan Stadium.

Florian Wirtz of Liverpool at Nissan Stadium. Getty

Pep Guardiola's rebuild at City began in January with around $690 million spent since then on revamping a team that saw its four-year title-winning run snapped last term.

And perennial runner-up Arsenal has finally secured a top-class striker in Viktor Gyokeres as it looks to win its first title since 2004.

Chelsea has continued its heavy spending policy and, fresh from being crowned world club champion, will expect to challenge for the biggest prizes again.

READ MORE: Liverpool legend's ominous warning to title rivals

READ MORE: Why there are no Aussies playing in the Premier League

READ MORE: Life after Ange: Bosnich explains what's next for Spurs

Mark Bosnich found the Jurgen Klopp interview hilarious. Stan

"I can't wait for it to start," Stan Sport's Mark Bosnich tells Wide World of Sports, determined to spread the football gospel with a pure, child-like enthusiasm.

"I want everybody to have a team. Whoever that may be, they might take their time, they might change their team after a year, but you've got to have a team.

"I'm going to be going around Sydney with my iPhone asking people, 'Which is your team? Which is your team?' There's so many stories and so many things to play for.

"It's not just the title, it's not just relegation; it's playing for places in Europe. Can we go better than last season? Remember there's prize money for how you finish in the league, as well. There's only three or four teams that can win it over a long season.

"Remember this is like a Melbourne Cup. This ain't a Golden Slipper, it ain't a sprint. In the last 10 years, we've seen some unbelievable feats. The Leicester Miracle. 5000-1 at the start of the season (2015-16). After that, I've never ever said never.

"We've seen Manchester City, for the first time in English football history, win four straight. We've seen a resurgence of Liverpool.

Jhon Duran of Aston Villa celebrates with teammates after scoring.

Jhon Duran of Aston Villa celebrates with teammates after scoring. Getty

"We've seen the resurgence of my beloved Aston Villa, we've seen Spurs win their first trophy in 17 years, we've seen Arsenal come so close, the last three seasons come second. Will it be their season?

"Bournemouth is a great story - a stadium that only holds 12,000 people, and they're continuing to punch above their weight. And what about Crystal Palace?

"Haven't won anything in 119 years, all of a sudden they win the FA Cup in May, and now they've won the Community Shield. Two trophies in three months. Incredible!"

Liverpool vs Bournemouth on Saturday (5am kick-off AEST) is the first of 380 games.

How will Bosnich survive?

"Sleep is for the weak. Plenty of time to sleep when you're dead."

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring.

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring. Getty

Liverpool has a fight on its hands... with history

Liverpool knows just how difficult it is to win back-to-back championships.

Not since 1984 has the club successfully defended the title and it is not alone in struggling to hold onto the trophy.

Only Guardiola's City - champion in six out of seven seasons between 2018 and 2024 - has managed to retain the title since Alex Ferguson's Manchester United retained its title in 2009.

But Liverpool coach Arne Slot already defied the odds by joining an elite group of coaches to win the title in their first year in the Premier League, following Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Manuel Pellegrini and Antonio Conte.

He has brought in high-quality additions, with Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike adding more firepower to Liverpool's attack.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (left) and former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou. Getty

Manchester City and Guardiola have a point to prove

City endured a sudden and dramatic decline last season when its title defence unravelled before Christmas.

Defeat in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace consigned City to its first trophy-less season in eight years.

There were mitigating factors - mainly the injury to Ballon d'Or winner Rodri.

But Guardiola's extensive rebuild, including the signings of Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki, suggest City's problems were more deeply rooted.

The last time Guardiola relinquished a title, he went on to win the next four.

City's Premier League rivals have been warned.

Arsenal unveil new signing Viktor Gyokeres at Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Arsenal unveils new signing Viktor Gyokeres at Sobha Realty Training Centre. Getty

Arsenal looks like it has secured the missing piece

No team has been more consistent than Arsenal over the past three seasons - but that still hasn't delivered a title.

The signing of Gyokeres could be the last piece of the puzzle.

The Sweden striker outscored Kylian Mbappe, Haaland and Mohamed Salah last term.

His overall record for Sporting Lisbon was 97 goals in 102 games.

Arsenal will hope he can reproduce that form in England.

It's a long road back for Manchester United

United recorded its lowest finish in the Premier League era (15th) last season, the most losses (18) and its lowest points total (42).

Add to that the failure to qualify for any European competition and it was a year to forget.

Coach Ruben Amorim has vowed to bring the good times back.

He's signed Premier League-proven forwards in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, along with highly rated Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko.

He's also had a full off-season to work with his squad - something he was denied when hired midway through last season.

After winning two Portuguese titles at Sporting Lisbon, United is convinced he is the man to end more than a decade of decline since former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring.

Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring. Getty

Chelsea has issued a statement of intent

After a chaotic start, Chelsea's US owners are delivering results.

The revolving door of coaches has slowed down. The mega spending has not.

And on the back of a season when Chelsea won the UEFA Conference League, qualified for the Champions League and won the newly expanded Club World Cup, it looks like the two-time European champion is back among football's elite.

Arsenal and United will be under pressure from the start

Arsenal faces a brutally testing start - coming up against United, Liverpool, City and Newcastle in its first six games of the season, with three of those away from home.

United takes on Arsenal, City and Chelsea within its first five games.

The fight to survive is getting harder

In the past two seasons all three clubs promoted from the Championship have been relegated the following year.

Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland have their work cut out to avoid the drop.

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