The capture of Paul Ince, Oyvind Leonhardsen and Karlheinz Riedle (pictured) should all boost Liverpool's chances of ending their longest run without a league title since the arrival at Anfield of Bill Shankly.

Ince, with his ability to win the ball in midfield and distribute it effectively, is probably the most important, given their weakness in this area last season, but the perseverence of Roy Evans with a central defence and goalkeeper who have a knack, particularly at set pieces, of taking leave of their senses seems a gamble on the part of a man who desperately needs his team to come good.

Manager: Roy Evans.

In: Paul Ince (from Inter Milan) £4.2 million, Oyvind Leonhardsen (from Wimbledon) £3.5 million, Karlheinz Riedle (from Borussia Dortmund) £1.8 million, Danny Murphy (from Crewe) £1.5 million.

Out: Stan Collymore (to Aston Villa) £7 million, Lee Jones (to Tranmere Rovers) £100,000.

Last Season: Fourth. FA Cup: Fourth round. Coca-Cola Cup: Quarter-finals. European Cup Winners' Cup: Semi-finals.

Betting: 4 to 1.