Liverpool and Manchester City enter the new Premier League season facing an unprecedented test, having each lost one of the most prominent figures of their modern eras following Egyptian star Mohamed Salah's departure from Anfield and the conclusion of manager Pep Guardiola's historic reign with City.
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For the first time since 2016, Liverpool enters a campaign without Salah, who served as a central pillar of the team's attack, while Manchester City begins a new phase without Guardiola, the most successful manager in the club's history.
Salah joined Turkish side Trabzonspor earlier this August, bringing an end to a 9-year stint at Liverpool, whereas Guardiola stepped down at the conclusion of last season following a trophy-laden decade.
City kicks off its league campaign by hosting Bournemouth on Sunday in their first match under Italian manager Enzo Maresca, Guardiola's successor, before Spanish coach Andoni Iraola manages his first game in charge of Liverpool when the Reds visit Newcastle on the same day.
The uncertainty surrounding both clubs extends beyond the departures of Salah and Guardiola to include the period of turmoil preceding the end of their respective eras last May.
Guardiola guided Manchester City to six Premier League titles and the club's inaugural UEFA Champions League trophy, accumulating 20 titles overall since taking charge in 2016.
The 55-year-old Spanish manager lifted the FA Cup and League Cup during his final season, but departed after City's domestic dominance waned following two consecutive seasons without securing the Premier League title.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca watches his team's match against Arsenal in the FA Community Shield (AFP)
Guardiola admitted to struggling last season to maintain the energy required to compete with Arsenal, who captured the league title by a 7-point margin.
Furthermore, the departure of Director of Football Txiki Begiristain in 2025 proved a blow to Guardiola, who remarked at the time: "A part of me is leaving."
Amid ongoing proceedings regarding alleged financial violations, Guardiola found himself tasked with rebuilding a squad that had lost several core figures in recent years, including Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Kyle Walker, and Riyad Mahrez.
A daunting task for Maresca
City's rebuilding effort, despite significant financial outlay, has yet to yield complete success, placing Maresca before a formidable challenge in succeeding one of the most decorated managers in English football history.
The Italian manager is well acquainted with City, having served as Guardiola's assistant during the 2022–2023 treble-winning campaign. However, his experience as a head coach remains modest compared to his predecessor, spanning less than two seasons with Chelsea, one season with Leicester City, and a brief stint at Italy's Parma.
Roughly 35 miles away, Liverpool begins its own journey to establish a new identity without Salah.
The Egyptian star joined the Reds from Roma for £36 million in 2017 following an unsuccessful spell at Chelsea, subsequently establishing himself at Anfield as one of the club's greatest players.
Salah scored 257 goals in 442 appearances across all competitions, becoming the third highest goalscorer in Liverpool's history while helping lead the club to two Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League title, an FA Cup, and a League Cup.
However, his final season failed to replicate his peak years, as Dutch manager Arne Slot dropped him from the starting lineup on several occasions, leading Salah to accuse the club of "throwing him under the bus."
The rift between player and manager was never fully resolved, with Salah netting just 7 league goals as Liverpool finished fifth, resulting in Slot's dismissal.
Who replaces Salah?
Iraola recognizes that replacing a player of Salah's stature cannot be achieved by an individual alone. He hopes Swedish striker Alexander Isak can deliver improved form following an injury-plagued inaugural season at Anfield.
The Spanish manager is also relying on new signing Víctor Muñoz and young forward Rio Ngumoha to help fill the attacking void left by Salah.
As the new season gets underway, attention centers on the ability of both Liverpool and City to forge new identities in the wake of losing two of their biggest icons—a test that could determine whether both clubs can launch a new era of success or if the absence of Salah and Guardiola will require considerable time to overcome.
