If David McGoldrick ever fancied piggy-backing on The Tall Boy’s literary success, he could do worse than title his own memoir, I Was Peter Crouch’s Boot Boy.

Last season’s top two look set to dominate but there’ll be plenty of thrills and spills along the way. There’ll also be plenty of betting opportunities and these five wagers should help keep punters engaged throughout the season.

Are Bayern back in business?

Since mind games aren’t what they used to be, let’s give thanks for the ingredient that can make this title race great: Liverpool’s ‘12th Man’, writes Larry Ryan

Daniel Storey on the big takeaways from the weekend's action...

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has again voiced his opposition to the Nations League, arguing there is no room for it in the calendar.

Graft and grit the keys to Manchester United improvement

Manchester City star Leroy Sane has been warned by Germany teammate Toni Kroos that he will not fulfil his enormous potential for club and country unless he improves his attitude.

Declan Rice has not been included in England’s squad for next week’s Nations Cup clash with Spain at Wembley, with manager Gareth Southgate saying that Rice has a “really difficult decision” to make about his international future.

Defender Virgil van Dijk realises consistency will be the key if Liverpool are to topple Manchester City as Premier League champions.

Gareth Southgate has decided against selecting Joe Hart or Jack Wilshere.

Jack Wilshere, Gary Cahill, and Joe Hart will suffer heartbreak today as England manager Gareth Southgate names his World Cup squad.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp claims he would rather be in their position chasing European glory than be sitting pretty as domestic champions like Manchester City.

Daniel Storey on the weekend’s major talking points...

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana has travelled to South Africa to receive specialist treatment in his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

Here are all the latest headlines this lunchtime.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp claimed referee Michael Oliver refused to let him make a substitution prior to Chelsea's crucial equaliser at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expects Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk to endure a difficult time at Anfield today.

There is good news all around for Liverpool this evening.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp returned to work today after his health scare.

Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne has potentially been ruled out for three more months after undergoing surgery on a back problem.

What's being said online and in the papers.

Manchester City host Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday. Here are some talking points ahead of the eagerly-anticipated clash.

Concerns have been raised over the seriousness of Nathaniel Clyne's back injury after the defender was left out of Liverpool's Champions League squad.

Liverpool have rejected a third bid from Barcelona for wantaway playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has put thoughts of wantaway Philippe Coutinho out of his mind as he concentrates on the vitally-important Champions League play-off against Hoffenheim.

It’s hard to know which subject Jurgen Klopp found more wearing to discuss; the future of Philippe Coutinho or the reprise of his Liverpool side’s familiar defensive failings.

Liverpool have rejected a second, improved bid from Barcelona for star man Philippe Coutinho, according to reports.

The Premier League is waiting on further information from both Southampton and Liverpool over an alleged illegal approach for Saints defender Virgil van Dijk before deciding whether an investigation would be appropriate, Press Association Sport understands.

Liverpool have abandoned their hopes of signing Virgil van Dijk and apologised to Southampton for “any misunderstanding” over their interest.

Wayne Rooney appears to be facing the end of his time with England and Manchester United, having “more or less” decided his future at Old Trafford and been exiled from Gareth Southgate’s latest squad.

Liverpool 3 Middlesbrough 0: When the two minutes of injury-time were up, Jurgen Klopp stood slowly, grinned, hugged every man on the Liverpool bench, and then went and casually but earnestly shook the hand of Steve Agnew, the Middlesbrough caretaker manager.

Philippe Coutinho kept Liverpool's Champions League challenge in their own hands by destroying West Ham at the London Stadium.

Liverpool surrendered their advantage in the race for Champions League football once again after failing to score in a goalless draw against bogey side Southampton for the fourth time this season.

A moment of magic from Emre Can illuminated an otherwise poor quality game and fired Liverpool a huge stride closer to securing Champions League football next season.

Watford v Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp says he will only concentrate on his own side as the Premier League’s top-four race hots up.

Premier League talking points

Stoke City 1 Liverpool 2: Liverpool’s Champions League challenge is taking their players to their absolute limits — but manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he played his ‘get out of jail’ card at Stoke City.

Injuries and illness threaten to derail Liverpool’s bid for Champions League football after Sadio Mane was ruled out for the rest of the season and Philippe Coutinho has taken unwell.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits it is possible leading scorer Sadio Mane’s season could be over.

England promised much but Gareth Southgate’s first match as permanent manager ended in defeat as Lukas Podolski marked his final Germany appearance with a stunning winner.

Sergio Aguero salvaged a point for City, cancelling out an opening penalty from his former team-mate James Milner, although those bare facts tell only a fraction of the story from this wonderful, breathless Etihad encounter.