The Premier League returns this weekend after a two-week hiatus, with clubs eager to showcase their new transfer window acquisitions, none more so than champions Liverpool, for whom Alexander Isak could make his debut at Burnley on Sunday.
A staggering £3 billion was spent by the 20 clubs in England’s top flight, with a significant portion occurring in the final days of trading as clubs bolstered their squads for the months ahead. Isak’s acrimonious departure from Newcastle United was finally resolved just in time, with Liverpool paying a British record £125 million for the Swedish goal-machine.
The 25-year-old did not play a single minute for Newcastle this season, having been effectively sidelined, although he did make a brief appearance off the bench for Sweden against Kosovo on Monday. It is unlikely he will start at Burnley; however, manager Arne Slot will be keen to give him some minutes at Turf Moor, where Liverpool will aim to maintain their 100% start to their title defence with a fourth win.
While Isak may have been the highest-profile summer signing, several other clubs are resuming their Premier League campaigns eager to try out their expensive new acquisitions. Arsenal is likely to give a first start to Eberechi Eze at home against Nottingham Forest, a club that added Oleksandr Zinchenko, Dilane Bakwa, and Cuiabano on deadline day and replaced manager Nuno Espirito Santo with Ange Postecoglou.
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Postecoglou can expect a baptism of fire upon his return to north London, especially as Arsenal is still reeling from their loss to Liverpool. Following two successive defeats, Manchester City will host Manchester United on Sunday in the weekend’s major derby, with manager Pep Guardiola’s side trailing their neighbours in the standings.
All eyes will be on who Guardiola selects in goal after the last-minute signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
United, who have four points after a last-gasp win against Burnley, will likely also have a debutant in goal following the arrival of Senne Lammens on deadline day. Aston Villa has had a poor start with one point and no goals from their first three games, so expect to see their deadline day signings feature away to Everton on Saturday. Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, will provide Villa with much-needed attacking flair, while Harvey Elliott, surplus to requirements at Liverpool, could also start.
