To me it is a surprise really. Because, I believe Liverpool isn't the best team in my eye. Real Madrid has always been the best team, and even last year they were, but they faced some injuries. But, when we are dealing with a new Real Madrid, without injuries and added Trent? They are going to be much much better. Many of the injured players are getting back too. Only question left is, what is wrong with Mbappe?
Best on paper is different from best on the pitch. Last season, Madrid was not the best team; they were not even among the top 3 best teams with injuries or no injuries. They played very badly and struggled in almost every game. PSG, Barcelona, Inter, and Liverpool were all better teams than Madrid last season.
For this season, on paper, Liverpool looks like a top team. Remember, by this time last year, everybody was talking about how Madrid would be unstoppable and how Barcelona wouldn't win any trophy in the league because Madrid signed Mbappe, yet Madrid ended up winning no trophy. We won't really know which teams will be good till the season starts, and we also have to remember that teams will still make additions to their teams. For now, PSG, Liverpool, Barcelona and Madrid are all among the favourites, but we won't know till next season.
It might be wrong to expect good things from Liverpool because last season Liverpool was a favorite team but they couldn't do anything like that. Why do we always see inconsistent performances from Liverpool in big tournaments? Now Liverpool may be a strong team on paper but when the Champions League season starts, you will see that this team will qualify for the quarter-finals or semi-finals at the most and then they will not be able to go any further.
Due to injury problems or other reasons, Real Madrid seems to be a weak team for the Champions League right now but I always think that Real Madrid will make a comeback. Since Real Madrid could not win any title last season, this team can definitely do something different next season.