Online Reporter
After a dramatic transfer deadline day, the first sacking of the season and Erling Haaland’s five-goal flurry for Norway on Tuesday night, excitement is brimming for the return of the Premier League this weekend.
For the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Sunderland, tomorrow’s Premier League return presents an opportunity to build on a successful first few weeks of the season, while others − such as Fulham, Wolves and Aston Villa − will be keen for a fresh start.
And while many nations entertained us during the international break, with Norway thrashing Moldova 11-1 and England finally winning comprehensively under Thomas Tuchel with a 5-0 triumph over Serbia, most fans will be delighted to have the thrill and unpredictability of the Premier League back once tomorrow rolls around.
But which storylines are we most excited to see play out ahead of the Premier League’s eagerly-anticipated return? Daily Mail Sport takes a look…
Isak’s first Liverpool bow
It’s the saga that dominated the summer transfer window, so there really is no better place to start than Alexander Isak’s British record transfer to Liverpool.
The Swede refused to train or play at Newcastle in an effort to force through a summer move to Anfield, which finally came to fruition on deadline day as the two clubs agreed to a £125million transfer.
Whether he is thrown in immediately by Arne Slot remains to be seen, with Isak lacking a full preseason as a result of his strike and fellow No 9 Hugo Ekitike impressing at the top of the pitch so far this campaign.
On the other hand, Burnley presents an ideal opportunity for Isak to get some minutes before a tantalising Merseyside derby at Anfield the following weekend. Either way, he’ll certainly be under the microscope.
Ange is back, mate
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis wielded his axe to produce the first sacking of the season over the international break, as Nuno Espirito Santo was dismissed despite guiding the club into Europe last campaign. From the outside, it appears harsh on the Portuguese, who has only endured a mixed bag of results with one win, one draw and one defeat in the opening three games.
But Marinakis had bigger ideas and swiftly appointed former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou off the back of his Europa League triumph last term, opting for a drastic change of approach in terms of philosophy and style.
A Manchester derby with PLENTY on the line
All is not well in Manchester as far as City and United are concerned. Pressure continues to ramp up on Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim after a challenging start to the season, which has seen United lose to Arsenal, draw to struggling Fulham and only narrowly beat Burnley − as well as crash out to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup on penalties.
And yet somehow, they are above local rivals Manchester City in the Premier League table, with the former perennial champions winning just once across their opening three games.
Guardiola will take confidence in Haaland scoring five past Moldova on Tuesday and also by 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri taking further steps towards a return to full fitness.
Kudus set for frosty Hammers return
Mohammed Kudus has swiftly become an integral part of Thomas Frank’s Tottenham after completing his £55m move from West Ham this summer.
And while he’s made a habit of getting fans off their feet at the start of the season, the Ghanaian may find he provokes a different reaction when he returns to the Hammers on Saturday afternoon − Daily Mail.
