The2025-26 Premier League seasonkicks offFriday, Aug. 15, when the defending league winners Liverpool host Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool now faces the daunting challenge of a title repeat quest and must do so after a tragic summer during which forwardDiogo Jota died in a car crash on July 3. On the pitch, Liverpool will have a number of worthy challengers. The clubs that finished in the three spots below Liverpool on last season's table – Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City – all spent (and will continue to spend until the transfer window closes on Sept. 1) in hopes of catching the Reds. The high-priced arms race should make for a thrilling season ahead. MORE:Behind the Scenes with NBC Sports' Premier League team ahead of season opener It should be no surprise that the reigning champions sit atopUSA TODAY Sports' first EPL power rankings. However, where do the other 19 squads stand? Here are our rankings: The Reds will need to overcome thetragic death of Diogo Jotain their title defense. Is Viktor Gyökeres the missing piece after three consecutive second-place finishes? Anything short of the Premier League title will be a failure for Pep Guardiola's squad. Can Chelsea ride a wave of momentum fromtheir Club World Cup wininto the new season? After an inspired run to the Champions League quarterfinals last season, the Villans must settle for the Europa League this season. Will Alexander Isak still be with the team come September? Adding Mohammed Kudus is a big boost for new manager Thomas Frank. Was last season's 15th-place finish an outlier, or a sign of what's to come at Old Trafford? Barely missing out on European competition will have the Seagulls hungry for more in 2025-26. The Cherries have steadily improved their station in the table in each of their past three seasons in the Premier League. With its Europa League spot, Nottingham Forest enters European competition for the first time since 1996. Consistent middle-of-the-table finishers since Premier League return expected to finish mid-table again. After calling Goodison Park home since the 1800s, the Toffees will break in a fancynew stadiumthis season. The reigning FA Cup champions have to settle for the UEFA Conference League after losing an appeal. The Hammers have been in the Premier League since the 2012-13 season, but that run could be in jeopardy. Wolverhampton has been on a steady drop in the table the previous four seasons. Former Liverpool backup 'keeper Caoimhín Kelleher finally gets his opportunity to be a No. 1. Leeds has spent just three seasons in the Premier League since 2004. Staying in the Premier League will be a challenge, made even more daunting by the loss of goalkeeper James Trafford, who had 29 clean sheets last season. The Black Cats are in the Premier League for the first time since 2017, climbing back up from the third division over the past four seasons. USA TODAY Sports' 48-page special editioncommemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead.Order your copy today! This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Premier League power rankings: Liverpool ahead of Arsenal, Man City