Premier League prepares for big kick-off

Tim Sherwood has dismissed Christian Benteke's veiled dig at his role in the striker's revival at Aston Villa.

The striker questioned the amount of praise Sherwood received for his part in Benteke's form at the end of last season before he left for Liverpool.

Liverpool expect a "strong improvement" this season from last year's disappointing campaign, according to chairman Tom Werner.

The Reds have brought in big-money signings like Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke this summer in a bid to make sure they at least get back into the Champions League.

"We do believe Brendan is the right man for Liverpool and the right man to take the club forward," Werner said in an interview with the Liverpool Echo.

"When we hired Brendan we wanted to see improvement.

"Hopefully when we have a conversation in a year's time he will have demonstrated and the squad will have demonstrated that we've regained top form again."

Slaven Bilic is hopeful of having Andy Carroll fit in as little as three weeks - with the West Ham boss revealing the trip to Liverpool is a realistic target.

"Andy Carroll is doing really well," said Bilic.

"He will be joining the squad in terms of training with the team very soon. It is easy to predict (when he will be fit) but it is also hard - I ask the simple questions to our medical department but it is hard for them.

"He has been working for a few weeks but last week he was doing individual stuff without any problems so now the injury is gone. We just have to bring him in slowly, but as soon as possible to gain fitness.

"It should be, the target the medical department told me, Liverpool or Newcastle which is the fourth or fifth game of the season."