Reigning champions Liverpool kick off the Premier League season on Friday with Europe's richest league strengthened by a remarkable £2 billion ($2.7 billion) spending splurge.

Liverpool will include £100 million midfield signing Florian Wirtz and new forward Hugo Ekitike in their squad to face Bournemouth at Anfield, among a handful of new recruits.

They are favourites to retain their crown but the unknown factor is the potential effect of the tragic death of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota in a car crash in Spain in July.

Arsenal, one club hoping to topple Liverpool, face an immediate test of their title credentials against a revamped Manchester United on Sunday.

Newcastle are set to be without unsettled star striker Alexander Isak for a tough trip to Aston Villa -- the Swede is wanted

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